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IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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Hiotographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WIST  MAIN  STRUT 

WIBSTIR,  N.Y.  MS80 

(716)S72-4503 


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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHIVI/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  IMctes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


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the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


D 
D 
D 
D 
D 
D 
D 
D 
D 


D 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 

Covers  damaged/ 
Couverture  endommagie 

Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
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Thf 
ton 


Th« 
poa 
oft 
filn 


Ori] 
beg 
the 
sioi 
oth 
firs 
sioi 
or  i 


The 
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whi 

Mar 
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requ 
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This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  film*  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqui  ci-dessous. 


10X 

14X 

18X 

22X 

26X 

30X 

I 
1 

J 

12X 

16X 

20X 

24X 

m^ 

32X 

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to  the  gtuntt.roaity  of: 

BibliothAque  nationale  du  Quebec 


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aion,  or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
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aion,  and  ending  on  the  laat  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


The  laat  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  —^^  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  aymboi  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  appliea. 

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beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  aa  many  framaa  as 
required.  The  following  diagrama  iiiustrate  the 
method: 


1 

2 

3 

32X 


L'exemplaire  f ilmt  f ut  reproduit  grAce  A  la 
g^nAroaiti  da: 

BibliothAque  nationale  du  Quebec 


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conformity  avac  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 

Lea  exemplaires  originaux  dont  ia  couverture  en 
papier  eat  imprimia  sont  filmte  en  commenpant 
par  la  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  ia 
darnlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impreasion  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  ia  second 
plat,  salon  la  cas.  Tous  lea  autrea  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  filmAs  en  commenpant  par  la 
premiAre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impreasion  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  derniire  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  dea  symboles  suivants  apparaftra  sur  la 
derniAre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  seion  ie 
caa:  la  aymboie  — ►  aignifie  "A  SUIVRE",  ie 
symbols  ▼  signifie  "FIN". 

Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc..  peuvent  Atre 
filmte  A  das  taux  de  reduction  diffArents. 
Lorsque  ie  document  est  trop  grand  pour  Atre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clich6,  il  est  fiimA  A  partir 
de  I'angle  supArieur  gauche,  de  gauche  A  droits, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  Ie  nombre 
d'images  nAcessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
iilustrent  ia  mAthoda. 


6 


'S^ 


vv, 


GREYSLAER: 

A   ROMANCE   OF   THE    MOHAWK. 


BT  THE  AUTHOR   or 

"A  WINTER  IN   THE   WEST,"  AND   "WILD   SCENES 
,IN  THE  FOEEST  AND  PRAIBIE." 


<*  There  it  a  dmnity  that  shapes  our  ends, 

Rough  hew  them  how  we  will."    , 

'  Shakspiari. 


IN    TWO     TOLUMES. 


VOL.     I. 

/ 


I   //?||vMA4,     (C^  .7Wno)  { 


f 


Li 


NEW-YORK: 
HARPER  &  BROTHERS.  83  CLIFF-STREET. 


1840. 


«  I  "    »  •  » 


I      1 


b         1        I     u 


t    it 

w  »  O 


■    •'  o         «   •        V   •  •.    .  » c      • 


s^v 


Entered,  according  to  act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1840, 

By  Charles  Fenno  HorriiAN, 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  Southern  District  of  New  York. 


« 


•  •     •    » 


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43186 


■■• «' 


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m 


V 


ERRATA  TO  VOL.  11. 


Page  61,  in  the  "  Song  of  Bait  the  Hunter,"  laat  itanza,  line  1,  for 

*'  He  whistled  his  dog,"  &c., 
read, 

"  But  he  whistled  his  dog,"  &c. 

Page  99,  in  the  song,  '*  Our  Country's  Call,"  stanza  3,  line  5,  for 

«  Wave,  thou  ensign  glorious," 
read, 

'  "  Wave,  thou  lofty  ensign  glorious.'* 

Page  113,  stanza  1,  line  3,  for 

'*  I  saw  not  her  eyes,  and  but  one  teardrop  stealings" 
read, 

"  I  saw  not  her  eyes,  and  but  one  teardrop  starting." 


y\ 


book;  first. 


THE     BORDER     RISING. 


<..  '' 


"  "Why,  peers  of  England, 
We'll  lead  'em  on  courageously.    I  read 
A  triumph  over  tyranny  upon 
Their  several  foreheads."  Ford. 

"  'Tis  a  generous  mind 
That  led  his  disposition  to  the  war ; 
For  gentle  love  and  noble  courage  are 
So  near  allied,  that  one  begets  another." 

Cyril  Toitrnevr. 

"  This  lady  in  the  blossom  of  my  youth, 
When  my  first  fires  knew  no  adulterate  incense, 
Nor  I  no  way  to  flatter  but  my  fondness, 
In  the  best  language  my  true  tongue  could  utter, 
And  all  the  broken  sighs  my  sick  heart  lend  me, 
I  sued  and  served.    Long  did  I  love  this  lady." 

Massingir. 


M^ 


»^ 


:U 


m 


}    i 


TH 


TO 


WILLIAM     DUER, 


or  oswsao, 


THESE    VOLUMES    ABE    INSCRIBED 


BT    HIS    EARLY    FRIEND, 


« 


THE     AUTHOR. 


t     I] 


GRE  YSL  AER; 

A    ROMANCE    OF    THE    MOHAWK. 


li 


BOOK    FIRST. 
CHAPTER  I. 

FOREST   HAUNTS   AND   SYLVAN   COMPANY. 

"  Away,  flwiiy,  to  fnrost  gladflfi. 

Fly,  fly  with  me  the  haunts  of  men, 
I  would  not  give  my  sunlit  elades, 

My  talking  stream,  and  silent  glen, 
For  all  the  pageantry  of  slaves, 
Their  fettered  lives  and  trampled  graves." 

The  Indian,  by  J.  Lawibmob. 

Our  Story  opens  amid  the  depths  of  an  American 
forest.  It  was  midsummer;  the  brieht  green  of 
June  had  departed  from  lea  and  meadow,  and  the 
brooks,  even  where  their  course  lay  through  some 
crassy  orchard,  half  sheltered  by  the  spreading 
iruit-trees,  had  shrunk  and  dwindled  in  their  chan- 
nels; but  here,  amid  the  dank  shadows  of  prime- 
val woods,  their  currents  still  danced  a]ona  with  all 
the  freshness  of  springtime.  Here,  too,  the  shrubs 
upon  their  banks  still  wore  the  delicate  tints  of  early 
summer;  for  the  canopy  of  dense  foliage  above 
them  shut  out  the  scorching  heat.  «The  birds  of 
song,  which,  in  the  opening  and  closing  year,  are  sel- 
dom heard  in  our  deep  forests,  had  now  left  the 
clearings,  which  they  delight  with  their  warbling 

Vol.  I.— B 


w^ 


14 


ORBTSLABB  ; 


in  the  mating  season,  and  flitted  through  the  cool 
and  verdurous  aisles  that  opened  around  on  every 
side ;  now  glancing  sportively  around  the  seamed 
and  columnar  trunks  of  the  mossed  trees,  and  now 
skimming  high  in  air,  but  still  sheltered  by  the 
cloistering  architrave  of  interlacing  boughs  above 
them.  It  was  noontide,  but  the  freshness  of  early 
dawn  and  the  mellow  gloom  of  deepening  twilight 
were  commingled  in  those  forest  glades. 

By  the  foot  of  an  ancient  tuTlp-tree,  where,  a 
spring  bubbled  from  beneath  a  rock,  which  its 
gnarled  roots  entwined,  sat  two  men,  who  seemed 
the  fitting  tenants  of  a  spot  so  wild.  The  one,  a 
military  veteran  of  about  fifty,  brawny  and  broad- 
shouldered,  with  freckled  face  and  sandy  hair,  was 
dressed  in  the  full  garb  of  a  Scottish  Highlander, 
save  that  a  jacket  of  green  cloth,  laced  and  guarded 
with  bars  of  silver,  like  the  uniform  of  a  modern 
European  trooper,  was  superadded  to  the  tartan 
drapery  that  marks  the  ancient  costume  of  his 
country.  His  companion,  who  wore  a  similar  uni- 
form jacket,  was,  in  the  fashion  of  his  other  garments, 
apparelled  not  unlike  him ;  if  a  belted  hunting-shirt 
01  dressed  deerskin,  with  fringed  leggins  of  the 
same,  and  a  scarlet  blanket  richly  embroidered  at 
the  corners  with  porcupine  quills,  may  be  supposed 
to  bear  any  resemblance  to  the  kilt,  hose,  and  plaid 
of  the  Scotchman,  whose  skene  dhu  was  imitated  by 
the  terrible  leg-knife,  worn  beneath  the  beaded  gar- 
ters of  his  companion.  With  the  exception  of  a 
tomahawk  secured  in  the  wampum  sash  of  the  lat- 
ter, both  were  in  other  respects  similarly  armed 
with  pistols  and  yaeger. 

But  the  accidental  resemblance  in  the  fashion  of 
their  equipments,  which  extended  even  to  the  oi^ 
namented  tobacco-pouch  worn  at  the  belt  of  t ifeher, 
ceased  altogether  with  a  full  survey  of  their  persons, 
when  contrasting  these  men  together.    There  wit 


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«• 


the  cool 
on  every 
I  seamed 
and  now 
1  by  the 
18  above 
of  early 
twihght 

where,  a 
hich  its 

seemed 
le  one,  a 
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B  tartan 

of  his 
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on  of  a 
the  lat- 

armed 

hion  of 
the  01^ 
either, 
ersoDi, 
ra  Wit 


A  BOMANOi  Of  ram  mohawk. 


15 


nothing  of  the  Celt  or  Goth  in  the  swarthy  linea- 
ments of  the  American  forester.  Rising  to  his  feet, 
while  his  blanket,  dropping  from  one  shoulder,  set 
forth  a  chest  of  the  finest  proportions,  he  stood  at 
least  three  inches  taller  than  the  European ;  while 
his  liihe  and  well-rounded  limbs  fell  at  each  motion 
into  ihose  easy  attitudes  which,  among  those  who 
call  themselves  civilized,  are  seldom  exhibited  in 
their  full  grace  by  any  but  mere  children,  and  which 
were  in  striking  contrast  with  the  angular  moTO- 
tnents  of  his  sturdy  and  soldier-like  companion. 

"  Well,  Sachem,  what  see  you  now  ?"  si^id  the 
Highlander,  as  the  Indian,  lightly  planting  one  fygi 
on  a  mossed  root  that  pushed  through  the  rotten 
sod,  stood,  with  keen  eye  and  dilated  nostril,  gazing 
intently  into  a  deep  glade  of  the  forest. 

"  I  looked  for  the  return  of  one  of  my  runners, 
but  it  was  only  a  moose  which  stirred  the  leaTOS,*' 
he  replied,  quietly  resuming  his  seat. 

"  A  moose  ?  an  !  I've  heard  of  that  kind  of  deer. 
They  tell  me  that  they  are  famous  fellows  when  at 
bay.  But  you  should  hunt  a  stag  among  old  Scotia's 
mountains  to  know  what  sport  is,  Sachem.  You 
never  got  as  far,  though,  as  our  heathery  hills,  when 
you  visited  King  George." 

"  There  was  game  afoot  here  that  would  not  have 
let  me  linger  in  the  Highlands,  even  had  I  reached 
them.**  ># 

"  Ah !  but  even  to  have  set  foot  upon  the  iM>nny 
purple  heather,  though  but  for  once  in  your  life, 
would  have  been  something;  and  yet,  perhaps, 
'twere  better  not ;  it  imight  have  made  you  discon- 
tented with  these  gloomy  forests  that  cover  up  your 
whole  country.** 

"  I  saw  many  bald  nien  among  the  counsellers  of 
my  British  father;  but  the  naked  crowns  of  the  Sa- 
gernash  did  not  put  me  out  of  conceit  of  the  long 
locks  of  an  Iroquois,**  replied  the  forester,  dryly^ 


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16 


ORBY8I.ABB ; 


And  then,  continuing  in  a  more  animated  stram, 
"  I  have  not  always,  even  in  my  own  land,  dwelt 
among  these  forests,  ^hich  you  think  so  gloomy* 
I  have  wandered  for  months  over  meadows  laugh- 
ing with  sunshine  and  flowers,  where  the  purple 
heather  of  which  you  speak,  unless  it  outbbom  in 
richness  all  that  I  have  seen  in  an  English  garden, 
were  but  a  dull  garniture  for  the  delicious  fields. 
And  yet,  though  the  prairies  seemed  so  fascinating, 
when  in  early  youth  I  followed  over  them  the  war- 
path of  the  great  Pontiac,  their  charms  appear  to 
me  now  but  as  the  feeble  and  holyday  work  of  Na- 
ture, when  compared  with  a  temple  like  that  in 
which  we  stand.  Look  there,"  he  cried,  pointing 
upward  to  the  sweeping  cone  of  a  pine  that  towered 
some  two  hundred  feet  towards  the  heavens,  upon 
the  lowest  branch  of  which,  still  a  hundred  feet 
above  the  soil,  an  eagle  was  at  the  moment  light- 
ing, while  the  frayed  bark,  slipping  from  beneath 
his  talons,  floated  long  in  air  before  reaching  the 
ground.  "  Look  at  yon  royal  pine.  Major  MacDon- 
ald ;  such  trees  as  that  will  grow  but  once  in  any 
soil !  they  are  the  production  only  of  Nature  in  her 
prime ;  and,  as  one  of  her  doomed  children  that 
must  soon  pass  away,  I  would  fain  linger  near  them 
with  my  people  until  the  last  is  gone." 

**  Doomed,  Sachem  ?  tut,  tut,  not  a  bit  of  doom 
about  the  matter ;  we'll  soon  drive  the  rebels  from 
the  ancient  seats  of  your  tribe ;  or,  should  the  worst 
come  to  the  worst,  why  not  leave  this  wild  land  ? 
You  have  the  king's  commission  in  your  pocket,  and 
can  still  follow  his  majesty's  banner  wherever  a  trum- 
pet shall  sound." 

"  Never,  never !"  rejoined  the  Indian,  mournfully ; 
**  I  have  been  tutored  in  your  schools ;  I  have  wor- 
shipped in  your  churches  ;  I  have  feasted  and  slept 
in  your  dwellings ;  I  have  fought  side  by  side  with 
your  warriors  in  the  field ;  I  have  mingled  with  your 


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mei 

it 

witi 
terc 
the 


A  ROMANCB  OW  TMB  MOHAWK. 


^^P' 


17 


courtiers  in  the  palace,  and  your  counsellera  in  the 
cabinet :  but,  nny  ways  are  still  not  your  ways,  nor 
has  the  heart  of  Fhayendanagea  been  erer  for  a  mo- 
ment estranged  from  his  tribe." 

"Why,  then,  did  you  lead  them  to  take  a  part 
with  us  in  this  quarrel,  which,  you  told  me  but  yes- 
terday, must  eventuate  in  the  ultimate  success  of 
the  rebel  arms  ?" 

"  Why  ?  why  did  not  my  countrymen  accept  the 
overtures  of  the  French  king,  when  Frontenac  made 
his  descent  upon  the  cantons  with  a  powerful  army, 
and  our  allies,  the  Hollanders,  at  whom,  through  us, 
Ononthio  struck  the  blow,  were  too  feeble  to  aid  us 
save  with  their  wishes  ?  why,  until  your  country- 
men, by  their  acquisition  of  this  province,  became 
heirs  oi  the  friendship  we  had  sworn  to  the  Dutch, 
did  we  stand  by  Quidar  in  his  quarrel  with  Fneland 
to  the  last  ?  Why  ?  why  did  you.  Major  MacDon- 
ald,  who  have  now,  with  hundreds  like  yourself, 
taken  up  arms  for  King  George,  why  did  you  be- 
come an  exile  by  fighting  against  him  when  a  strip- 
lingr 

The  Scotchman  sprang  to  his  feet,  and  paced  the 
turf  in  agitation  for  a  moment ;  then,  turning  short 
in  front  of  the  other,  exclaimed,  as  he  clasped  the 
hand  of  the  noble  Mohawk  in  both  of  his  own  and 
wrung  it  cordially, 

"  Captain  Brant,  you  are  a  true  and  loyal  gentle- 
man, every  inch  of  you  ;  worthy  to  have  been  out  in 
the  Forty-five  with  the  best  of  us  ;  and  if — ** 

"  Hist — crouch,"  interrupted  the  Sachem,  lightly 
pressing  the  shoulder  of  MacDonald,  who,  obe- 
dient to  the  motion,  sank  on  one  knee  beside  him. 

**  I  see  him,"  whispered  the  Highlander,  glancing 
in  the  direction  whither  his  companion  pointed ;  "  a 
sable  roan !  A  most  noble  charger ;  his  rider  must 
be  near." 

"  Yo-hah!  a  horse  of  eighteen  hands !  there  are  not 

B2 


k 


m 


18 


ORBTSLABK : 


many  such  in  the  depths  of  an  American  forest. 
Look  again,  brcther  soldier." 

^*  Jesu  Maria !"  ejaculated  the  European,  in  a  tone 
diiflt  might  be  thought  to  partake  as  much  of  alarm 
ag  of  wonder,  if  the  suspicion  had  not  been  belied 
by  the  flashing  eye  with  which  he  instantly  brought 
his  yieger  to  his  shoulder,  while  the  muzzle  was  as 
quickly  averted  by  the  hand  of  the  Mohawk  striking 
up  the  barrel. 

"  An  old  hunter  looks  at  his  range  as  well  as  at 
his  mark,"  said  Brant,  in  reply  to  an  inquiring  glance 
of  the  other ;  and  the  hasty  Scot,  looking  again  be- 
yond his  quarry,  saw,  for  the  first  time,  a  half-naked 
Indian  standing  immediately  in  his  line  of  fire. 

**  I  must  have  those  antlers  to  match  a  pair  from 
the  peat-moss  in  my  brother's  hall,"  he  murmured, 
in  a  tone  of  disappointment 

"  They  shall  be  yours,  but  we  must  not  wake 
these  echoes  with  our  firearms.  Leave  my  runner 
yonder  to  deal  with  the  moose,  and  we  shall  be  cer- 
tain of  a  savoury  broil  this  evening." 

The  deer-stalker,  or  still-hunter,  as  we  would 
term  him  in  this  country,  seemed  to  be  fully  aware 
of  the  neighbourhood  of  his  chief,  and  the  precise 
point  where  he  lay ;  for,  gliding  now  like  a  shadow 
irom  tree  to  tree,  and  more  than  once  fitting  an  ar- 
row to  his  bow,  as  if  about  to  shoot,  while  continu- 
ally approaching  the  moose,  he  managed  to  place 
himself  so  that  the  two  witnesses  of  the  sport  could 
not  be  harmed  by  the  shot.  The  animal,  in  the 
moan  time,  pestered  by  the  August  flies  that  are 
so  annoying  to  the  larger  tenants  of  the  forest  at 
this  season,  kept  moving  hither  and  thither  within 
a  small  circle,  pausing  ever  and  anon  to  browse  for 
a  moment ;  and  still,  while  feeding,  making  the  dry 
branches  crackle  with  his  incessant  trampling. 

At  last  he  seemed  to  be  more  contented,  as  he 
got  his  feet  into  a  marshy  piece  of  ground,  from 


whi( 
aboi 
The 
full 


es 
his 


'■!',\-fn'i..ir:»rx-mfjM 


V 


'  'V  j 


ian  forest. 

)  in  a  tone 
of  alarm 
ien  belied 
y  brought 
;le  was  as 
k  striking 

7e\\  as  at 
ng  glance 
again  be- 
alf-naked 
fire. 

pair  from 
urmured, 

lot  wake 
y  runner 
1  be  cer- 

^e  would 
ly  aware 
'■  precise 
.  shadow 
ig  an  ar- 
continu- 
to  place 
)rt  could 
1,  in  the 
that  are 
forest  at 
r  within 
)wse  for 
the  dry 
ng. 

i,  as  he 
id,  from 


▲  BOMAMCB  OV  THE   MOHAWK. 


19 


which  the  discoloured  water  bubbled  up  gratefully 
about  his  legs,  as  his  hoofs  broke  the  yielding  soil. 
The  Scotchman,  who  now,  for  the  first  time,  hau  a 
full  view  of  his  huge  uncouth  form,  could  not  suffi- 
ciently admire  the  ease  with  which  the  moose  \ised 
his  ungainly  but  flexile  snout,  to  twist  ofif  the  branch- 
es near  him,  while  lazily  catching  at  those  within 
his  reach. 

But  now  the  movements  of  the  still-hunter  equal- 
ly claimed  the  attention  of  the  lookers-on  of  this 
quiet  but  exciting  kind  of  woodland  sport.  The 
stealthy  savage,  by  flitting  from  tree  to  tree  in  the 
manner  we  have  described,  occasionally  drawing  his 
body,  like  a  wounded  snake,  along  the  ground,  had 
gained  a  fallen  and  decayed  trunk  within  twenty 
paces  of  the  moose,  and,  lying  concealed  behind 
this  natural  rampart,  was  watching,  with  keen  eye, 
the  fitting  moment  to  launch  his  fatal  shaft. 

At  last  the  moose,  having  stripped  the  boughs  im- 
mediately in  front  of  him,  yet  unwilling  to  change 
his  position,  threw  back  his  broad  antlers  upon  his 
shoulders,  and,  twisting  his  neck  obliquely  as  he 
caught  at  a  weeping  birch  that  drooped  over  his  left 
shoulder  within  reach  of  his  uplifted  muzzle,  pre- 
sented his  throat  as  a  fair  mark  for  the  arrow  of^the 
hunter.  The  bow  twanged,  and  the  barbed  flint 
was  driven,  with  unerring  aim,  through  the  neck, 
severing  the  swollen  artery,  and  burying  itself  deep 
in  the  vertebrae  at  the  base  of  the  scull.  The  strick- 
en animal  uttered  a  terrific  snort  of  rage  and  agony, 
plunged,  reared,  and,  wheeling  on  his  hind  legs,  made 
a  desperate  charge  at  his  assailant,  but  fell  dead  at 
the  feet  of  the  Indian,  just  as  the  undismayed  fellow 
was  in  the  act  of  bounding  forward  to  encounter 
him  with  his  tomahawk. 

"  A  good  shot,  Harrowah,"  cried  Brant,  moving 
leisurely  from  his  covert;  while  the  more  ardent 
Scot  rushed,  with  drawn  dirk,  towards  the  fallen 


|v 


# 


80 


OKkTILAlB  ; 


moose,  as  if  still  hoping  to  hare  a  hand  in  the  death 
of  so  noble  a  quarry.  But  the  bright  eye  was  al- 
ready fixed  in  death,  though  a  musculaf  motion  in 
the  long  and  drooping  muzzle  made  the  Highlander 
quickly  withdraw  the  hand  which  he  had  placed  on 
that  uncouth  appendage. 

" By  Saint  Andrew,"  he  cried,  "but  you  have  an 
ugly  race  to  claim  kindred  with  the  dun  deer  of  my 
own  heather." 

"  Yet,  major,  we  foresters  think  that  the  woods 
afford  no  choicer  morsel  than  a  moose's  muzzle; 
and  your  Frenchman  of  Canada  will  serve  you  up 
a  stew  of  it  that  will  shame  the  mock-turtle  of  a 
London  coffee-house." 

*^  Eat  that  hideous  black  thing  ?"  said  the  Scot, 
with  no  feeble  signs  of  aversion ;  **  I've  dined  often 
upon  horseflesh  while  serving  in  Tartary,  but  Pd 
as  soon  sup  upon  the  trunk  of  an  elephant  as  make 
a  meal  off  that  frightful  big  lip.  Zounds  I  the  thing 
quivers  as  if  it  were  still  alive ;  like  the  tail  of  one 
of  your  American  serpents,  which,  they  tell  me, 
never  dies  till  sunset." 

The  still-hunter  stood,  in  the  mean  time,  with 
folded  arms,  gazing  listlessly  upon  the  scene,  until, 
giving  a  sort  of  grunt  in  reply  to  an  order  from  his 
chief,  delivered  in  his  own  language,  he  addressed 
himself  to  the  care  of  the  carcass.  Selecting  a 
smooth-barked  beech  for  the  operation,  he  prepared 
one  of  the  lower  limbs,  by  the  aid  of  props,  to  sus- 
tain the  weight  of  the  animal.  But  the  sleight  of  the 
slim  hunter,  and  the  united  strength  of  his  two  stal- 
wart companions,  were  all  put  in  requisition  to  trice 
up  the  ponderous  carcass,  after  the  splinters,  by 
which  it  was  suspended,  had  been  passed  through 
the  tough  sinews  of  the  gambles.  The  head  was 
then  severed  from  the  trunk,  and  swung  by  the  pal- 
mated  antlers  to  the  crooked  arm  of  an  ancient  oak ; 
and  the  body,  after  being  flayed  to  the  loins,  and  re- 


lieve! 
hide,! 
out 
dispc 


(t 


to  cal 
aid,  ll 


A  BOMANOB  OF  THB   MOHAWK. 


21 


in  the  death 
eye  was  al- 
Lmotjcn  in 
Highlander 
i  placed  on 

^ou  have  an 
deer  of  my 

the  woods 
's  muzzle; 
•ve  you  up 
turtle  of  a 

the  Scot, 
iined  often 
y,  but  I'd 
t  as  make 
'  the  thing 
ail  of  one 
r  tell  me, 

Ime,  with 
ene,  until, 
from  his 
addressed 
lecting  a 
prepared 

9,  to  BUS- 

jht  of  the 
two  stal- 
n  to  trice 
Iters,  by 
through 
ead  was 
the  pal- 
3nt  oak ; 
and  re- 


lieved of  all  superflui lies,  was  wrapped  Jn  its  own 
hide,  and  raised  still  higher  from  the  ground,  to  be 
out  of  the  reach  of  beasts  of  prey,  until  otherwise 
disposed  of 

"  I  will  send  some  of  my  people  to  bring  the  meat 
to  camp  before  nightfall ;  and  now,  Major  MacDon- 
ald,  let  us  learn  what  tidings  the  runner  brings  us." 

With  these  words  the  Sachem  moved  to  the  spot 
where  the  reader  was  first  introduced  to  him  and 
his  companion,  and  where  blanket  and  tartan,  lying 
where  they  had  been  dropped  by  the  roots  of  the 
shadowy  tulip-tree,  offered  inviting  seats  for  the 
councils  of  this  sylvan  triumvirate. 


CHAPTER  11. 

FRONTISR   FACTIONS. 

"  The]^  left  the  ploughshare  in  the  naould, 
Their  flocks  and  herds  without  a  fold, 
The  sickle  in  the  unshorn  grain, 
The  corn  half  garnered  on  the  plain, 
And  mustered  in  their  simple  dress, 
For  wrongs  to  seek  a  stern  redress ; 
To  right  those  wrongs,  come  weal,  come  wo, 
X  w  ^jrish  or  o'ercome  their  foe." — M'Lillan. 

The  information  brought  to  his  chieftain  by  the 
Mohawk  runner,  though  of  deep  import  to  more, 
than  one  actor  in  the  scenes  we  are  about  to  de- 
scribe, will  hardly  be  intelligible  to  the  reader,  un- 
less he  revives  his  historical  recollection  of  the  po- 
litical  intrigues  that  distracted  the  important  prov- 
ince of  New- York,  as  the  drama  of  the  Revolution 
was  gradually  unfolded  along  her  far-spreading 
borders. 


# 


M  OBirtii^BE ; 

The  lonff  possession  of  the  fur-trade,  and  the 
frequent  Indian  wars  incident  to  the  pursuit  of  thii 
hardy  and  precarious  branch  of  comniprce,  had  at 
an  early  dHy  f^iven  an  adventurous  and  enterprising 
character  to  the  population  of  this  province.  Their 
military  spirit  had  been  well  tested  in  the  arduous 
campaigns  of  the  old  French  war ;  they  had  borne 
no  feeble  part  in  the  conquest  of  Canada;  and 
when  the  fall  of  Quebec,  in  consummating  the  glory 
of  Wolfe,  brought  peace  to  the  land,  it  found  al- 
most every  man  CHpable  of  bearing  arms  a  soldier. 
While,  therefore,  the  different  parties  of  Whig  and 
Tory  were  almost  equally  balanced  in  the  province 
of  New-York  throughout  the  Revolution,  that  mem- 
orabl .  political  struggle  found  fewer  neutrals  ^ere 
than  in  any  state  of  the  Union  ;  all  men  were  eager 
to  bear  arms  on  one  side  or  the  other,  and  it  is  this 
circumstance  only  which  will  account  for  the  great 
numbers  that  fell  in  battle,  when  the  inferior  degree 
of  population,  as  compared  with  that  of  several  of 
the  other  colonies,  is  considered. 

But,  bitter  as  were  the  political  animosities  exist- 
ing in  every  part  of  this  province,  both  before  and 
after  a  recourse  was  had  to  arms,  yet  the  spirit  of  fac- 
tion called  out  in  no  district  the  same  stormy  feel- 
ings as  now  distracted  the  valley  of  the  Mohawk. 
The  elements  of  civil  dissension  had  been  long 
brewing  in  this  beautiful  region,  where  such  a  diver- 
sity of  origin,  of  interest,  and,  we  may  add,  of  reli- 
S'on,  existed  among  the  heterogeneous  population, 
at  the  soul  of  Discord  might  well  have  been 
roused  even  in  times  the  most  peaceable. 

Here  had  been  the  ancient  seat  of  the  most 
powerful  and  civilized,  yet  must  warlike  nation  of 
aborigines,  upon  the  northern  part  of  this  hemi- 
sphere, a  large  remnant  of  which  still  retained  their 
possessions  in  the  immediate  neighbourhood  of  the 
jEuropean  settlements.    Here  the  sturdy  and  ad* 


■:i- 


A  ROMANCn  OF  THB  MOHAWK. 


28 


TenturouB  Dutch  trader  had  at  an  early  day  been 
tempted  to  abandon  hii  precarious  nneans  of  life- 
lihood,  and  ait  down  to  cultivate  the  rich  alluvial 
lands  that  had  been  readily  granted  to  hinn  by 
the  grateful  Mohawks,  who  had  ever  been  treated 
as  brothers  by  his  countrynnen  during  their  sway 
over  the  province.  Hither  the  German  soldiers 
of  Queen  Anne's  Protestant  allies  had  in  large 
bodies  followed  their  European  neighbours  to  set- 
tle upon  the  extensive  tracts,  granted  to  them  when 
New- York  first  took  its  modern  name  in  passing  to 
the  British  crown.  Here,  side  by  side  with  these 
brave  mercenaries,  or  perched,  rather,  upon  the 
northern  hills  that  overlooked  their  fertile  meadows, 
hundreds  of  Catholic  Scotch  Highlanders,  with 
many  Irish  soldiers  of  fortune,  the  exiled  followers 
of  the  last  Stuart,  had  established  themselves ; 
while  successive  families  of  the  Cameronian  coun- 
trymen of  the  former  had  found  their  frugal  homes 
upon  the  uplands  south  of  the  river,  whose  cultiva- 
tion had  been  rejected  by  those  who  preceded  them 
in  ffaining  an  interest  in  the  soil. 

The  diversity  of  feeling  which  this  difference  of 
origin,  of  language,  and  of  religion  may  be  presu- 
med to  have  created,  was  still  farther  enhanced  in 
its  effects  by  the  difference  in  tenure  through  which 
the  broad  dfomains  of  the  valley  were  held.  For 
while  the  majority  of  the  old  "  residenters''  were  ^ 
freeholders,  constituting  a  large  and  independent 
yeomanry,  yet  among  those  of  British  descent  there 
were  extensive  feudal  proprietors,  holding  their  pat- 
ents immediately  from  the  crown,  who  could  num- 
ber a  powerful  array  of  dependants ;  and  some  of 
whom  (as  was  actually  the  case  with  Colonels 
Butler  and  Johnson  both  before  and  during  the 
war)  commanded  regiments  of  militia,  raised  exclu- 
fively  among  their  own  tenantry. 
^  Th«ie  was  one  feature  common  to  this  heteroga- 


■r^- 


rl  ! 


#. 


24 


ORBVSLASB  i 


neous  people,  which  will  hardly  he  thought  to  have 
reconciled  the  jarring  elements  of  strife,  though 
capacitating  thenn  for  acting  in  unison  under  some 
circumstances;  and  this  was  that,  throughout  the 
valley,  there  was  scarcely  an  individual  who  had 
not  been  in  some  way  trained  to  the  use  of  arms. 

The  threatening  storm  of  civil  war  had  at  an  early 
day  found  both  patriot  and  loyalist  upon  the  alert 
to  enlist  the  principles,  the  prejudices,  or  affections 
of  their  neighbours  upon  the  side  that  either  was 
determined  to  espouse.  The  leading  gentlemen  of 
Tryon  county,  whether  Whig  or  Tory,  kept  up  in- 
deed for  a  Ions  time  the  most  friendly  relations  to- 
wards each  other,  so  far  as  outward  seeming  was 
concerned.  Both  parties  affected  to  be  actuated 
by  the  greatest  zeal  in  preserving  the  peace  of  the 
country,  and  particularly  in  all  their  public  confer- 
ences agreed  to  act  in  unison  in  preventing  the 
Indians  from  taking  any  part  in  the^mpending  con* 
troversy,  should  a  fatal  issue  be  ultimately  joined 
between  them.  But  the  acts  of  either  faction  seem 
sufficiently  to  have  belied  their  words  from  the  first. 

Secret  clubs  and  committees  were  organized 
upon  the  one  side ;  and  many  of  the  wealthy  upon 
the  other,  keeping  open  house  for  their  partisans, 
made  their  hospitality  a  cloak  for  the  dangerous 
councils  that  were  rife  at  the  festive  board.  The 
country  was  traversed  by  mounted  men,  bearing  to- 
kens from  one*disaffected  family  to  another.  Trav- 
ellers upon  the  highways  were  stopped  by  the  myr- 
midons of  either  party,  and  their  papers  examined 
by  these  border  regulators  with  the  coolest  assump- 
tion of  authority ;  and  as,  on  the  one  side,  the  great 
landed  proprietors  soon  commenced  fortifying  their 
houses  and  arming  and  drilling  their  tenantry,  so, 
among  the  smaller  freeholders  on  the  other,  several 
of  the  influential  Whigs  ventured  to  reorganize  the 
militia  in  their  own  districts,  and  officers  were  de- 


i. 


A  ROMAHOB  Of  TBS  MOHAWK. 


posed  and  others  appointed,  according  to  the  pecu- 
liar tenets  and  wishes  of  the  people. 

This  last  innovation  had  been  attended  with  somd 
danger ;  though  in  one  instance,  Sir  John  Johnson, 
the  leading  magistrate  of  the  county,  met  with  a 
signal  discomfiture  when  rashly  intruding  upon  a 
party  of  yillagers  whom  a  lieutenant,  elected  by 
themselves,  was  engaged  in  drilliiiff.  The  baronet 
chanced  to  be  taking  a  drive  wiiTk  his  lady  when 
he  came  upon  this  squad  of  young  soldiers ;  and 
incensed  at  seeing  a  man  in  the  uniform  of  an  offi- 
cer who  he  knew  did  not  hold  the  king's  commis- 
sion, leaped  from  his  barouche,  and  advancing  upon 
the  patriot  lieutenant,  rebuked  his  presumption  with 
great  insolence,  and  called  upon  his  comrades  in- 
stantly to  disperse.  Swords  were  drawn,  and  Sir 
John,  being  tne  more  skilful  fencer  of  the  two,  dis- 
armed his  youthful  opponent,  but  was  ultimately 
compelled  to  retire  from  the  levelled  muskets  which 
were  instantly  presented  at  his  life,  when  he  at- 
tempted to  push  his  advantage,  by  seizing  the  young 
man  and  securing  him  as  a  traitor  to  the  king  taken 
in  open  arms. 

Convinced,  by  this  and  similar  scenes,  of  the  un- 
popularity in  that  part  of  the  province  of  the  cause 
wnich  he  had  espoused,  the  zealous  baronet  adl- 
dressed  himself  to  the  promotion  of  his  royal  mas- 
ter's interest  in  another  quarter ;  and,  in  defiance  of 
the  implied  stipulation  existing  between  both  par- 
ties of  the  whites,  that  the  Indians  should  not  be 
permitted  to  take  a  part  in  the  family  quarrel,  as  it 
was  called,  he  proceeded  to  avail  himself  of  his 
connexion  with  the  tribes,  to  influence  them  to  raise 
the  tomahawk  against  his  political  opponents.  His 
brother-in-law,  Col.  Guy  Johnson,  tne  superintend- 
ent of  Indian  affairs  for  all  the  provinces  of  British 
America,  readily  lent  his  powerful  aid  to  the  fur- 
therance of  these  intrigues ;  and  the  vigilant  Whigs, 

Vol.  I. — C 


A   . 


It. 


OBBTUJkBB; 


while  keeping  t  wary  eye  upon  the  powerful  Tory 
familiei  in  their  neighbourhood,  soon  oecame  aware 
that  Indian  runnert  were  continually  passing  and 
repaasing  between  the  settlements  and  the  strag- 
gling troops  of  warriors  that  hovered  on  their  bor- 
der. The  nnoose-hunter  was  one  of  a  hundred  sim- 
ilar agents  of  frontier  diplomacy,  that  were  contin- 
ually traversing  the  country  between  Guy  Park,  the 
seat  of  the  Indian  agency,  and  the  different  council- 
fires,  or  outlying  bande  of  the  Six  Nations. 

Sir  John  Johnson's  numerous  tenantry  of  Scotch 
Highlanders  were  already  in  arms  at  Johnstown, 
where  the  baronet  had  fortified  his  large  mansion 
with  several  brass  fieldpieces ;  and  the  different  can- 
tons of  the  Iroquois,  with  the  single  exception  of 
the  Oneidas,  were  known  to  be  so  favouraoly  dis- 
posed toward  the  royal  cause,  that  the  only  ques- 
tion was  now,  how  to  unite  the  whole  force,  both 
European  and  aboriginal,  so  as  to  make  it  most  ef- 
fective, and  overwhelm  at  its  first  outbreak  the  least 
movement  of  rebellion ;  this,  however,  required  no 
feeble  energies  to  accomplish. 
v>  The  yeomanry  of  the  valley  had  long  regarded 
Sir  John  Johnson  with  a  suspicious  eye;  alike 
from  the  baronial  state  that  he  affected  upon  his 
princely  domains,  and  the  insolent  and  dictatorial 
assumption  with  which  he  more  than  once  intru- 
ded upon  their  popular  assemblies.  Colonel  Guy 
Johnson,  the  superintendent  of  the  Indian  'depart- 
ment, was  held  in  hardly  less  aversion  than  his 
kinsman,  and  the  celebrated  Joseph  Brant,  or  Thay- 
endanagea,  as  he  called  himself,  who  filled  the  im- 
portant post  of  secretary  of  that  department  for  "  all 
nis  inajesty's  provinces  in  North  America,"  had, 
from  his  political  connexions,  lost  much  of  the  con- 
fidence of  his  old  friends.  Brant,  indeed,  though 
living  upon  the  moat  intimate  terms  with  many  of 
the  foading  Whigs  of  Tryon  county,  was  always 


BWW 


wmimm 


▲  BOMAiroB  ov  nn  morawx. 


•f 


•uipected  to  hold  himself  in  retdiness  ler  employ* 
ment  more  congenial  to  the  tastee  of  an  Indian  war« 
rior»  who,  amid  all  the  allurements  of  a  European 
court,  and  when  lurrounded  by  ev^ry  luiurjr  tnd 
embellishment  of  civilized  life,  had  made  it  his  pridt 
and  his  boast  that  he  was  a  **  full-blooded  Mohawk.** 

That  hauflhty  chief,  who,  whether  at  the  enters 
tainments  of  princes  and  nobles,  in  the  saloons  of 
fashion,  or  the  palaces  of  royalty,  had  always  per^ 
sisted  in  presenting  himself  in  the  peculiar  costum* 
of  his  people,  seemed  to  have  brought  home  but 
little  from  his  European  intercourse  with  the  learn- 
ed and  the  polite,  save  a  strong  feeling  of  attach* 
ment  to  the  British  crown  :  a  sentiment  of  feudal 
loyalty,  which,  notwithstanding  his  early  New-Eng- 
land education,  had  become  strangely  grafted  upoll 
the  peculiar  love  which  he  bore  to  the  ancient  r^ 
publican  institutions  of  the  Five  Nations.  He 
seemed  to  regard  England  as  the  only  muniment 
of  their  freedom,  and  was  willing  to  render  a  cor- 
dial allegiance  to  her  as  the  price  of  the  protection ; 
and  while,  in  his  intercourse  with  the  whites,  arro- 
gating to  himself  a  full  share  of  that  assumption 
which  induced  his  semi-barbarous  countrymen  to 
call  themseK«>s  the  Ongihonwef or  "men  who  sur- 
passed all  otiiers,'*  he  was  still  willing  to  look  up 
to  the  head  of  the  British  empire  both  as  the  fount- 
ain of  public  honours  and  the  guardian  of  his  coun- 
try's welfare. 

But  while  this  aspiring  and  sagacious  sachem  saw 
that  the  safety  of  his  people  and  his  own  pre-emi- 
nence as  a  chieftain  depended  upon  their  siding  with 
the  royal  cause — for  at  a  very  early  day  he  foretold 
the  blighting  influence  which  this  great  overshadow- 
ing republic  would  bring  upon  the  aborigines  when 
its  independence  was  fully  established — yet  his  pri- 
vate partialities  were  from  the  first  at  war  with  the 
dictates  of  his  ambition  and  his  policy.    He  had 


88 


ORBT8LABR 


been  educated  in  one  of  the  leading  Whig  familiei 
of  Connecticut;  he  had  fought  side  by  side  with 
the  colonial  troops  in  *'  the  old  French  war ;"  and 
though  he  had  derived  preferment,  fortune,  and  in- 
fluence from  his  connexion  with  the  officers  of  the 
crown,  yet  his  old  friends  and  neighbours  in  the 
valley  uf  the  Mohawk  were  adherents  of  the  popu- 
lar cause ;  and,  save  among  the  powerful  family  of 
the  Johnsons,  his  nearest  and  dearest  friends,  the 
comrades  of  his  hunts,  the  companions  of  his  youth, 
were  banded  together  against  the  party  which  he 
had  joined.  What  wonder,  then,  that  when  the 
storm  of  revolution  was  about  to  burst  upon  his  na- 
tive valley,  Brant  should  shrink  from  imbruing  his 
liands  in  the  blood  of  its  inhabitants,  sprung  from 
the  same  soil,  though  of  a  different  lineage  from 
himself? 

These  considerations  will  sufficiently  account  for 
the  noble  Mohawk  so  long  endeavouring  to  tempo- 
rize with  the  patriot  party  ;  and,  when  finally  taking 
up  arms  with  the  loyalists,  presenting  himself  with 
a  few  followers,  instead  of  bringing  his  whole  power 
into  the  field,  after  having  already  made  a  proud 
display  of  his  warriors  in  his  celebrated  pacific  in- 
terview with  the  republican  general,  Herkimer.  It 
would  appear,  however,  from  some  of  his  numerous 
letters  still  extant,  that  true  Indian  policy  was  not  a 
little  mingled  with  the  unwillingness  he  showed  to 

frocure  the  gathering  of  the  tribes,  when  all  of  the 
roquois  confederates,  with  the  exception  of  the  sin- 
gle canton  already  mentioned.  Were  eager  to  lift  the 
hatchet  for  the  mother  country. 

Brant  thought  that  the  family  quarrel  was  of 
doubtful  duration,  and  he  was  unwilling  that  the 
brunt  of  it  should  fall  upon  his  people  until  England 
had  tried  what  she  could  do  to  repress  the  rebellion 
in  the  province  of  New-York,  without  having  re- 
course to  the  aid  of  the  Indians.    He  left  it,  there- 


l)ig  families 
y  side  wiih 
war;"  and 
ine,  and  in- 
cers  of  the 
>ur8  in  the 
F  the  popu- 
I  family  of 
fiends,  the 
'his  youth, 
which  he 
when  the 
>on  his  na- 
truing  his 
rung  from 
Jage  from 

ccount  for 
to  tempo- 
ily  taking 
•self  with 
)le  power 

a  proud 
>acific  in- 
imer.  It 
lumerous 
t^as  not  a 
iowed  to 
)1  of  the 

the  sin- 
D  lift  the 

was  of 

^at  the 
England 
ebeilion 
ing  re- 
» there- 


in 

A   KOMANCX   or  TUB  MOHAWK. 

fore,  for  Col.  Guy  Johnson  to  collect  the  warriors  of 
the  Six  Nations,  while  he,  with  a  chosen  band  of  hit 
own  Mohawks,  hovered  near  the  border,  watching 
the  turn  events  might  take,  and  still  secure  in  the 
deep  forests  where  we  have  first  introduced  him  to 
the  reader.  % 

These  mountain  wilds,  which  are  now  chiefly 
embraced  in  the  counties  of  Montgomery,  Herki- 
mer, and  Hamilton,  still  preserve  much  of  their 
savage  and  romantic  character;  but,  at  the  day 
of  which  we  write,  they  were  almost  inaccessible 
to  any  but  an  Indian  or  a  hunter  of  the  border. 
Here  the  chieftain  held  his  woodland  court,  until 
the  issue  should  be  fairly  joined  between  the  high 
parties  that  n6w  so  threateningly  lowered  upon  each 
other;  and  here  he  awaited  the  fitting  moment, 
when  the  contest  should  be  fairly  begun,  to  make 
the  most  advantageous  descent  upon  the  lower 
country,  and,  by  some  brilliant  exploit  at  the  first 
outbreak  of  Indian  hostilities,  make  good  his  haugh- 
ty claim  to  be  considered  as  the  great  captain  of  all 
the  Indian  nations  that  should  take  up  arms  on  the 
side  of  the  crown. 

In  the  mean  time,  however,  Sir  John  Johnson  had 
assiduously  kept  up  his  influence  with  the  wary  but 
aspiring  sachem ;  not  only  by  a  constant  correspond- 
ence ;  not  only  through  the  various  Indian  runners 
who  were  continually  bearing  messages  between 
himself  and  Brant,**  but  also  by  placing  near  him  a 
zealous  and  sagacious  Scotch  officer,  who,  being 
made  the  bearer  of  a  commission  of  captain  in  the 
royal  army,  which  had  been  politically  bestowed 
upon  Brant,  made  his  way  to  the  camp  of  the  grat- 
ified Mohawk,  and  remained  among  his  people  un- 


f  ■ 


*  «i 


'  The  Indians  conveyed  letters  in  the  heads  of  their  tomahawks 
and  the  ornaments  worn  about  their  persons." — CampbeWs  AnruUt 
of  Tryon  County. 


80 


ORBTSLABR 


der  the  easy  pretence  of  wishing  to  become  initiated 
in  the  wild  sports  of  the  aborigines. 

Leaving  these  two  partisans  of  the  royal  faction 
to  discuss  the  tidings  which  had  just  been  brought 
them  by  the  moose-hunter,  let  us  now  learn  their 
nature  by  shifting  the|pcene  to  the  valley  of  the 
Mohawk,  and  proceed  with  the  action  of  our  story. 


CHAPTER  III. 


THB    LIBERTY-TRBB. 


**  Deep  in  the  west,  as  Independence  rores, 
His  banners  planting  round  the  land  he  lovesj 
Where  Nature  sleeps  in  Eden's  infant  grace, 
In  Time's  full  hour  shall  spring  a  glorious  race." — Sfbagvv. 

Rumours  of  the  first  blood  shed  at  Lexington  had 
reached  the  valley  of  the  Mohawk ;  but  the  length 
of  time  it  required  in  those  days  to  traverse  the  inter- 
vening country,  prevented  the  story  from  being  soon 
confirmed  in  all  its  particulars;  when,  one  after- 
noon, it  was  noised  abroad  that  a  messenger,  direct 
from  the  scene  of  action,  would  address  the  friends 
of  liberty  at  a  meeting  to  be  held  in  front  of  the 
atone  church  at  German  Flats.  The  occasion  was 
deemed  a  good  one,  by  the  leadin^r  Whigs  of  the 
neighbourhood,  for  carrying  into  effect  a  ifavourite 
political  ceremony  of  the  day,  which  should  at  once 
mark  their  own  adherence  to  the  popular  cause,  and, 
by  its  boldness,  encourage  and  confirm  their  waver- 
ing friends.  To  further  which  intention,  placards 
and  notices  were  industriously  circulated,  inviting 
the  people  to  ''  assemble  unarmed,  for  the  purpose 
of  peaceable  deliberation,  and  also  to  erect  a  liberty* 
poU  r 


m\ 


LMimu'JRiim 


i 

if 


▲  ROMANCE   OF  THB  MOBAWX. 


91 


come  initiated 

royal  faction 
been  brought 
«^  learn  their 
valley  of  the 
of  our  story. 


•" — Spraguv, 

ington  had 
the  length 
*e  the  inter- 
being  soon 
one  after- 
iger,  direct 
the  friends 
ont  of  the 
-asion  was 
igs  of  the 
favourite 
'Id  at  once 
ause,and, 
sir  waver- 
<  placards 
inviting 
purpose 
a  liberty* 


The  yeomanry  of  the  valley  had  been  frequently 
thus  convened  of  late,  to  pass  some  vote  of  censure 
upo|i  the  acts  of  the  British  ministry  (for  here,  as 
elsewhere  throughout  the  provinces,  during  the  ear- 
ly stages  of  the  Revolution,  the  name  of  the  king 
was  studiously  omitted  in  all  the  attacks  upon  his 
government) ;  and,  like  well-schooled  fencers  close- 
ly practised  in  mock- combat,  the  thoroughly  organ- 
ized community  was  versed  in  political  discussion 
and  habituated  to  public  business,  long  before  its 
ability  for  self-government  was  tested  in  a  real 
struggle  with  established  power.  But  the  measure 
now  in  contemplation  was  a  direct  assault  upon  the 
dignity  of  the  crown ;  and  the  call  "  to  assemble 
unarmed  for  the  purpose  oi peaceable  deliberation^* 
was  too  flimsy  a  covering  for  the  treasonable  deed 
to  which  it  was  meant  only  as  a  precursor — the  rais- 
ing openly  the  great  emblem  of  rebellion. 

Many,  therejfore,  shook  their  heads,  and  stood 
aloof  from  those  who,  they  thought,  were  rashly 
precipitating  matters  to  a  crisis.  Some  doubted 
whether  an  immediate  revulsion  of  public  feeling 
might  not  result  from  carrying  proceedings  at  once 
so  far.  Some  actually  felt  this  revulsion,  and  stood 
prepared  to  co-operate  with  the  Tory  magistracy 
in  crushing  so  daring  an  outbreak  of  faction.  But 
others,  who,  from  the  first,  had  counselled  more  da- 
ring measures,  and  had  lately  hung  back  in  disgust 
at  the  cautious,  and,  apparently,  reluctant  movements 
with  which  they  thought  their  leaders  had  impelled 
the  ball  of  revolution,  were  now  emulous  to  spring 
forward  and  take  their  place  among  the  most  active 
in  hurrying  it  onward.  While  others,  again,  know- 
ing no  other  principle  than  the  love  of  change,  no 
impulse  save  that  of  curiosity,  were  urged,  by  the 
novelty  of  the  occasion,  to  be  spectators  of  a  scene, 
where,  if  sympathetic  excitement  should  impel  them 


il 


18  ORBT0Ii4aB; 

to  become  actors,  circumstances  would  determine 
the  part  they  should  play. 

Such  an  assemblage  was  the  true  field  for  iy|op- 
ular  orator  to  prove  his  powers ;  and  traditioiHitiU 
tells  of  the  eloquence  which  wrousht  upon  t^e 
materials,  and  moulded  and  moved  the  mass  as  one  ^ 
man,  on  thai  day.  Tradition,  too,  tells  especially 
of  one  speaker — a  youth  of  scarce  twenty  summers 
—a  shy  student  from  Schenectady,  who,  fired  by  the 
impassioned  appeals  of  older  and  more  practised 
orators,  burst  through  the  bashfulness  of  inexperi- 
enced youth,  and,  leaping  upon  the  rostrum,  pour- 
ed forth  a  flood  of  eloquence  that  hurried  along  Uie 
most  sluggish  natures  upon  its  irresistible  tide. 

**  Who,  said  a  by-stander  to  a  sturdy  hunter,  who, 
with  mouth  agape,  and  eyes  riveted,  as  if  by  magic, 
upon  the  speaker,  stood  leaning  upon  his  rifle  near, 
''who  in  all  natur  is  that  springald  with  sich  ft 
tongue  ?" 

"  Why,  Adam,  is  it  you,  man,  that  axes  me  who 
young  Grbtslaer,  of  Hawksnest,  is  ?  You*ve  seen 
me  teachini;  the  boy  afore  now,  when  he  came  up 
to  Johnstown  in  his  hollowdays,  and,  thof  he  be 
grown  a  bit,  you  ought  to  know  my  old  scholard." 

**  Lor  1  Bait,  that  ain't  the  bookish  chap  that  you 
larnt  the  rifle  to  ?  The  bold  younker  that  stood  the 
brunt,  when  scapegrace  Dirk  de  Roos  got  into  that 
scrape  in  old  Sir  William's  time  ?" ' 

**  I  tell  you  it  is,  though,"  said  the  woodsman, 

?roudly ;  "  and  a  right  proper  shot  I  made  of  him. 
ou  see,  now,  how  he  plumps  his  argerments  right 
into  the  bull's-eye  of  the  matter." 

'*  Sarting  1  he  does  make  a  clean  go-ahead  of  it. 
But  when  did  he  come  up  here  to  mix  in  our  do- 
ings ?" 

"  He  ?  why,  man,  he's  been  here  this  four  week, 
and  came  up  too  with  the  Congress's  commission 
in  his  pocket,  to  raise  a  company.    Who  but  him 


iiwwjii.iiiijipjmi 


ild  determine 

W  for  \fiop- 
traditioil%till 
upon  t^e 
mass  as  one^ 
s  especially 
ity  summerf 
,  fired  by  the 
re  practised 
of  inezperi- 
itrum,  pour- 
d  along  the 
le  tide, 
unter,  who, 
f  by  magic, 
I  rifle  near, 
ith  sich  a 

B  me  who 
GuVe  seen 

came  up 
lof  he  be 
holard." 

that  you 

stood  the 

into  that 

oodsman, 
of  him. 
ints  right 

sad  of  it. 
I  our  do- 

ir  week, 
mission 
3ut  him 


▲  HOM ANOB  OF  TBI  MOHAWK. 


was  it  that  Sir  John  raised  a  rumpus  with  at  the 
training  last  week  ?  Ah  !  if  the  boy  only  had  at 
goodiJarning  with  the  sword  as  he  has  with  the 
rifle,  the  baronet  could  never  have  filliped  it  out  of 
his  hands  so  sarcily  as  he  did." 
*  **  Oh  !  yes,  I  heerd  of  that,  Bait,  as  also  how  you 
came  near  having  your  heels  lifted  higher  than  your 
head,  for  threatning  to  blow  Sir  John  clean  through 
if  he  did  not  let  the  stripling  go." 

"  rd  like  to  see  the  day  when  any  of  Sir  John's 
folks  would  try  to  back  that  brag  of  his'n.  Vd  a 
mounted  him  upon  the  spot  only  for  making  it,  but 
the  people  said  'twas  only  words,  and  I  must  not 
mind  sich,  and  go  and  make  further  fuss,  seeing 
we  had  got  young  Max  out  o*  his  hands.  But  hist ! 
what's  the  lad  saying  now  ?"     ** 

"  I  mistrust  that  that's  the  Yankee  messenger 
he's  introducing  to  the  people,"  said  Adam,  in  a 
modest  whisper ;  for  the  hunter  had  gained  tenfold 
in  the  respect  of  the  simple  yeoman  since  this  pop- 
ular display  of  his  pupil. 

"  Behold,"  cried  the  speaker,  interrupting  himself 
in  the  midst  of  a  bold  apostrophe  to  Liberty,  whom 
he  .pictured  as  hovering  over  the  land  with  wings 
that  shadowed  it  but  for  a  moment,  until  she  could 
alight  in  peace  and  safety  :  "  Behold  the  harbinger 
of  her  first  triumph  I  fevered  with  haste,  worn  with 
impatient  travel,  he  comes,  like  the  victorious  cou- 
rier from  Marathon  of  old,  to  tell  of  Freedom's 
bloody  dawn  at  Lexington.  Up,  man,  up,  and  tell 
a  tale  that  never  can  grow  old,  but  freshens  from 
the  frequent  telling ;"  and,  suiting  the  action  to  the 
word,  the  youth,  carried  away  by  the  enthusiasm 
of  the  moment,  seized  the  courier  by  tbo  wrist,  and 
dragged  the  embarrassed  man  forward. 

**  Now  that  awkward  loon,  Adam,"  said  the  hunt- 
er, "  will  make  a  botch  of  the  hull  business.  A 
murrain  on  the  Boating  folks  that  sent  a  critter  what 
couldn't  speak." 


V 
I 

^    -. 


t\ 


84 


OBETILiJIR  } 


**  Why,  Bait,  I  ffuess  they  want  all  their  speakeri 
to  hum,  and  raaly  I  don't  see  biit  this  chap  has  done 
all  in  natur  that  was  rec^uired  of  him,  in  coming 
here  so  quick.  It  wan*t  judgmatical  in  young  Max 
to  expect  more  from  him,  and  pull  the  fellow  up 
there  to  gape  about  like  a  treed  'possum." 

The  orator  appeared  himself  to  be  instantly  aware 
of  his  error,  and,  even  while  the  worthy  Adam  wai 
commenting  upon  it,  had,  with  ready  tact,  turned 
the  poor  fellow's  confusion  to  advantage.  "  What !" 
he  cried,  "  bewildered,  my  friend,  by  the  crowd  of 
heads  you  see  below  ?  This  stout  array  of  gallant 
yeomen,  the  bone  and  sinew  of  our  land,  numbers 
not  half  of  those  devoted  to  our  cause,  that  will  soon 
pour  from  every  glen  and  mountain  near ;  men  with 
tongues  as  slow  a#  yours  to  boast  their  deeds,  but 
having  still  the  iron  will  to  work  them ;  men  with 
arms  as  strong  as  yours  to  raise  the  tree  of  Liberty, 
and  hearts  as  true  to  guard  it." 

A  deafening  shout  of  applause  burst  from  the 
multitude  almost  before  the  last  words  had  passed 
the  speaker's  lips..  The  stout-hmbed  New-En^- 
lander,  changed  at  once  from  a  shamefaced  rustic 
into  the  hero  Of  the  scene,  threw  up  his  head, 
broadened  his  chest,  ~and  displayed  his  stalwart 
frame  with  honest  vanity.  Then,  as  if  wit  had 
been  suddenly  bom  of  praise  so  well  applied,  he 
leaped  from  the  scaffold,  and  seizing  a  tall  hickory, 
which,  freshly  deracinated,  was  held  erect  by  some 
labourers  near,  he  bo|re  it,  amid  the  plaudits  of  the 
crowd,  to  a  hole  that  had  been  previously  prepared, 
and,  spurning  the  aid  of  some  tackle  erected  upon 
the  spot,  tossed  the  heavy  sapling  from  his  shoulders, 
and  planted  it  pointing  to  the  skies. 

The  centre  of  attraction  was  now  changed,  as 
the  crowd  collected  around  the  spot,  whilethose 
who  stood  nearest  were  active  in  throwing  earth 
and  stones  around  the  roots,  to  secure  the  tree  in 


A  ROMANCB  OF  TBI  MOHAWK. 


SA 


itf  position.  The  preconcerted  act  of  rebellion  for 
which  they  had  chiefly  met  was  fully  and  success* 
fully  consummated,  but  any  farther  measures  which 
might  have  been  contemplated  by  the  leaders  of  the 
assemblage,  were  at  this  moment  summarily  dis- 
comfiied. 

The  trampling  of  hoofs,  and  the  dust  arising  from 
a  large  body  of  horsemen  at  a  turning  of  the  road, 
gave  the  first  intimation  of  the  approach  of  the  roy- 
alists, while  proclaiming  that  they  came  in  suffi- 
cient force  to  crush  any  violent  outbreak  of  insur- 
rection. There  was  a  momentary  panic  in  the 
assemblage,  and,  before  they  could  recover  from  the 
surprise,  Sir  John  Johnson,  with  a  large  body  of 
retainers  armed  with  sword  and  pistol,  rode  into  the 
midst  of  the  unarmed  multitude.  He  was  followed 
by  Colonels  Claus,  Butler,  and  Guy  Johnson,  a  civil 
magistrate  by  the  name  of  Fenton,  and  other  Tory 
gentlemen  of  the  county,  each  backed  by  a  strong 
party  of  followers  similarly  armed,  who  succes- 
sively drew  up  in  military  array  so  as  nearly  to  en- 
circle the  astounded  Whigs. 

**  What  mummery  is  this  ?"  demanded  the  haughty 
baronet,  glancing  round  fiercely  at  those  who  stood 
near  the  Liberty-tree,  while  more  than  one,  over- 
awed by  his  bearing,  attempted  to  slink  away  in 
the  crowd.  A  stout  Whig,  by  the  name  of  Sam- 
mons,  stepped  boldly  forward  to  make  reply ;  but, 
before  he  could  ascend  the  stage  to  place  himself 
upon  a  level  with  his  mounted  adversaries.  Sir  John 
had  thrown  himself  from  his  horse,  and  occupied 
the  place  from  which  Greyslaer  and  the  Boston 
emissary  had  descended  a  fev/  moments  before. 
Without  noticing  the  movement  of  Sammons,  he 
at  OR'^e  commenced  haranguing  the  people  with 
creibt  vehemence.  He  appealed  to  the  ancient  love 
tkey  had  borne  his  family,  rehearsed  the  virtues  of 
bif  father)  once  so  popular  throughout  the  valley, 


ae 


OmSTSLABA 


and  exhorted  them  still  to  sustain  the  established 
magistracy,  which  had  ever  kept  their  best  interests 
at  heart.  Finding,  then,  that  the  attempt  to  address 
their  affections  and  rekindle  the  faded  ashes  of 
loyalty  met  with  no  response,  he  endeavoured  to 
awaken  their  fears.  He  dwelt  upon  the  strength 
and  power  of  the  king,  and  painted  in  strong  col- 
ours the  folly  of  opposing  Mt  officers  and  revolt- 
ing against  the  crown,  out  the  assemblage  was 
stul  mute ;  the  approving  plaudits  of  his  own  parti- 
sans called  forth  no  echo  from  the  moody  and  stub- 
born Whigs. 

Irritated  at  their  sullen  obstinacy,  Johnson  now 
turned  disdainfully  from  the  "  motley  crew  of 
would-be  patriots,  as  he  in  derision  termed  the 
multitude  generally,  and  poured  out  his  invective 
upon  their  leaders.  The  shrewd  New-England 
features  of  the  Bostonian  next  caught  his  attention, 
and  the  sharp  eye  of  Sir  John  instantly  detected 
something  in  the  man's  air  or  apparel  which  might 
have  escaped  any  gentleman  but  the  owner  of 
beeves  and  hemlock  forests,  whose  revenue  de- 
pends so  much  upon  the  trade  of  a  tanner. 

*'  Who/'  he  asked,  scornfully  levelling  his  finger 
at  the  stout  yeoman,  "  who  are  the  real  leaders 
of  your  mongrel  crew,  the  vultures  that  ye  bring 
hither  to  hatch  the  e^g  of  treason,  that  creatures 
as  foul  and  contemptible  have  thrust  into  our  nest 
of  peace  and  loyalty  ?  An  itinerant  New-England 
leather-dresser !  a  vagrant  pedler  of  rebellion  !  that 
could  only  retail  his  wares  to  such  offscourings  of 
societ^r  as  many  I  see  around  me,  if  men  whose 
education  should  teach  them  better,  had  not  mis- 
led the  gallant  yeomanry,  that  I  grieve  to  find  in 
iuch  disgraceful  company.  You  have  bad  ^pur 
musters,  too,  your  militarv  gatherinffs,  your  larray 
of  fools,  that  would  fain  play  the  soldier,  with  sach 
a  beardless  stripling  as  tnat  to  lead  them.    I  know 


;  |l|l  %^immi>'^i^^<^*^^l^^^^ 


iWMRMiMP! 


A    SOMANOB  OF  THB  MOHAWK. 


37 


the  boy  1**  cried  he,  with  a  tmile  of  scorn,  pointing 
to  Greyslaer,  who  stood  with  folded  arnis  and  com- 
pressed lips,  as  if  with  difficulty  restraining  the  ire 
that  boilea  within  him.  "  I  know  the  boy ;  I  knew 
him  in  old  Sir  William's  time,  who  was  once  dear 
to  all  of  you ;  he  was  whipped  then  by  my  father's 
overseer  for  plundering  an  orchard !  Pity  that  the 
lash  had  not — " 

**  Liar  and  villain  !*'  shouted  Greyslaer,  springing 
forward  toward  the  stage. 

"  Seize  the  traitor !"  cried  Sir  John,  striking  at 
the  youth  with  the  butt  of  a  loaded  whip.  Ac- 
tively evading  the  blow,  Greyslaer  succeeded  in 
setting  one  foot  on  the  scaffold,  but  the  next  instant 
the  sturdy  baronet  had  fastened  a  grip  upon  his 
throat,  and  flung  him  backward  into  the  arms  of 
one  of  his  myrmidons,  who  quickly  placed  himself 
astride  the  prostrate  stripling. 

"She  must  keep  quiet  now,  or  te  tirk  will  pin 
her,"  said  the  brawny  Highlander,  who  held  him 
thus  in  durance,  smiling  grimly  the  while  at  the  in- 
eflfectual  efforts  of  Greyslaer  to  free  himself,  in  spite 
of  the  drawn  dagger  that  flashed  before  his  eyes. 
The  trusty  Gael,  in  the  mean  time,  might  have  felt 
less  comfortable  in  his  position,  had  he  known  that 
he  was  covered  by  the  deadly  aim  of  the  hunter 
Bait,  whose  cool  discretion  prevented  him  from 
firing,  save  in  the  last  extremity. 

The  benignant  Mr.  Fenton  pressed  near  to  Sir 
John,  as  if  about  to  intercede  in  some  way,  but  the  ar- 
rogant soldier  heeded 'not  his  well-meant  offices.  An 
indignant  murmur  arose  among  the  Whigs  at  wit- 
nessing this  scene;  and,  upon  a  slight  movement 
made  among  them,  weapons  were  drawn,  and  a  low- 
browed, lank-haired,  saturnine  man,  whose  age 
might  be  somewhere  about  thirty,  a  trooper  in  Col- 
onel ButlePs  train,  spurring  to  the  front,  snapped 

Vol.  I.— D 


If. 


1 


uS't 


Ml 


88 


•RivAatiR 


HI 


his  pistol  in  the  face  of  a  bystander.  He  was  in- 
stantly reprimanded  in  sharp  terms  by  his  superior. 

"What!  fire  on  an  unarmed  man,  Walter? 
Shame  on  ye  for  one  wearing  the  king^s  livery ! 
May  I  eat  hay  with  a  horse,  if  I  suffer  such  a  thing 
among  my  riders,  Watty." 

"  We  shall  have  to  cut  these  rebel  throats  sooner 
or  later,"  replied  the  man,  doggedly,  "  and  it  matters 
not  when  the  business  is  beaun." 

"  Shame,  shame,"  cried  Air.  Fenton. 

"Walter  Bradshawe,"  said  Greyslaer,  without 
making  an  effort  to  rise  or  gain  any  advantage  to 
protect  himself  from  the  consequences  of  what  he 
was  about  to  say,  "  you,  though  so  much  my  senior, 
were  for  months  my  mate  at  school.  I  knew  you, 
too,  as  an  aspiring  attorney's  clerk  in  my  first  years  at 
college ;  your  political  career  has  since  made  your 
name  common  in  the  mouths  of  all  men,  and  there 
must  be  others  here  who  know  you  full  as  Well  as 
I ;  and  when  I  say  that,  as  boy  and  man,  you  were 
ever  a  brute  and  a  ruffian,  there's  not  a  mr^n  present 
that  can  gainsay  my  words." 

"  Tut,  tut,  boys,  cried  Colonel  Butler,  restrain- 
ing a  fierce  movement  of  his  subaltern,  "  may  I  eat 
hay  with  a  horse,  but  this  js  a  foolish  pair  on  ye 
here.  There's  trouble  enough  without  your  brawl- 
ing, and  you  may  soon  have  an  opportunity  of  fight- 
ing out  your  quarrel  in  the  name  of  king  and  coun- 
try, without  troubling  older  people  with  your  ca- 
pers." 

A  glance  of  deadly  hatred  from  Bradshawe,  which 
was  returned  with  one  of  utter  scorn  from  his  quon- 
dam schoolmate,  was  all  the  reply  the  young  men 
made  to  this  speech.  In  the  mean  time,  notwith- 
standing the  dismay  which  the  sudden  appearance 
of  the  armed  royalists  had  inspired,  xj^ere  were  no 
signs  of  dispersion  among  the  patriot  assemblage. 


!r,Pill!ii!i„;i        ,     ' 


▲  SOMANOB  09  THS  XOH>WK. 


89 


A  few  craven  spirits  had,  indeed,  slunk  away,  but 
their  absence  was  more  than  supphed  by  a  number 
of  sturdy  countrymen,  in  the  guise  of  hunters,  who, 
with  rine  on  shoulder,  came  stragglins  into  the 
scene  of  action,  as  if  brought  thither  only  by  acci- 
dent or  curiosity.  The  Tories,  who  had  trusted  only 
to  their  arms  to  give  them  a  superiority  over  the 
party,  which  from  the  first  outnumbered  them,  be- 
gan soon  to  be  aware  that  they  were  fast  losing  their 
only  advantage;  and  Colonel  Guy  Johnson,  acting  in 
his  capacity  of  a  county  magistrate,  saw  that  it  wat 
true  policy  to  close  by  an  act  of  civil  authority  the 
duties  which  had  been  entered  upon  with  a  lest 
peaceful  mission.  He  therefore  addressed  the  peo- 
ple anew,  but  in  terms  more  soothing  than  those 
which  had  been  adopted  by  his  kinsman  the  baro- 
net ;  though,  like  him,  he  commenced  by  trying  to 
awaken  their  old  feelings  of  feudal  attachment  to  hit 
family. 

He  spoke  of  the  affection  which  they  had  alwayi 
borne  to  his  father-in-law.  Sir  William  Johnson, 
now  but  a  few  months  deceased,  and  who  was  be- 
lieved to  have  been  brought  to  his  grave  from  anx- 
iety of  spirit  at  the  perturbation  of  the  times,  and 
the  struggle  between  loyalty  and  patriotism,  as  the 
crisis  approached  when  he  should  be  compelled  to 
decide  between  his  king  and  his  country.  He  said 
that  he  saw  many  around  him  who  were  the  old 
friends  and  playmates  of  his  youth,  and  who,  till  the 
last,  had  always  been  cherished  cuests  at  his  table. 
And  he  appealed  particularly  to  the  influential  fam- 
ilies of  the  Fondas,  the  Harpers,  the  Campbells,  and 
the  Sammonses,  several  members  of  which  were  af- 
terward so  distinguished  in  the  border  war  of  Tryon 
county,  to  unite  with  him  in  his  exertions  to  pre- 
vent the  e^lpion  0  blood  among  their  mutual  kin- 
dred and  neighbours.    Finally,  after  regretting  the 


vm 


40 


OBBYILABX; 


# 


iliill 


necetiitv  ofpIaciRff  young  Oreytlaer  in  the  cuitody 
of  the  •heriff  until  lie  could  be  tried  by  hii  country 
in  fair  proceedingi  at  law,  he  nnade  a  tignal  to  Sir 
John,  who  had  already  placed  the  priioner  on  horte- 
back  in  the  nnidst  of  his  retainers,  and  bowing  po- 
litely to  the  company,  the  complaisant  colonel  moved 
off  in  the  rear  of  his  retiring  parly. 

The  people,  in  the  mean  time,  either  too  much 
confused  by  the  unexpected  events  which  had  suc- 
ceeded eacn  other,  or  confounded  by  the  fair  and 
polite  words  which  had  last  been  addressed  to 
them,  made  no  movement  to  the  rescue.  But  the 
sound  of  the  retiring  troopers  had  scarcely  died 
upon  the  ear,  before  a  deep  murmur  of  disapproba- 
tion pervaded  the  assemblage.  Some  reproached 
each  other  with  pusillanimity  in  having  looked  io 
calmly  upon  the  scene  which  had  just  been  enacted 
before  them.  Those  who  were  armed  were  told 
that  they  should  never  have  permitted  one  of  their 
friends  to  be  thus  torn  from  among  them.  And 
those  who  had  been  instrumental  in  getting  up  the 
meeting  without  providing  for  such  an  exigency, 
were  rebuked  by  the  riflemen,  who  had  come  last 
upon  the  scene  of  action,  because  they  did  not  di- 
rect them  what  part  to  take  when  the  difficulty 
came  on,  of  whose  origin  the  new-comers  were 
themselves  ignorant.  These  mutual  bickerings  and 
recriminations,  however,  which  only  temporarily 
suspended  the  unanimity  of  council,  resulted  at  last 
in  a  general  call  for  immediate  action.  Every  one 
agreed  that  young  Greyslaer  must  be  at  once  deliv- 
ered from  the  hands  of  the  Johnsons,  who,  notwith- 
standing their  promises,  would  doubtless  seize  the 
first  opportunity  of  transporting  the  youth  to  Cana- 
da, where,  if  his  fate  were  a  no  more  cruel  one  than 
{)erpetual  imprisonment,  he  woult  be  alrieast  utter- 
y  lost  to  the  cause. 


ymu^tammit^wmmimam 


A  SOMAHOB  Of  TBB  MOHAWK. 


il 


The  hunter  Bait,  who  had  itood  moodily  looking 
on  without  taking  any  ihare  in  theae  diicuaaioni, 
•eemed  to  catch  new  life  from  the  determination, 
when  announced. 

**  I  don't  know,**  laid  he,  looking  round,  **  whether 
or  not  ye  all  mean  to  stick  u  what  you  aay ;  though 
I  hope  10,  raaly.  But  I  do  know,  that  if  young 
Max  Greyilaer  be  not  ai  firee  aa  any  man  here, 
afore  one  wilted  leaf  of  this  tree  falls  to  the  ground, 
I'll  water  it  with  the  best  blood  of  the  best  Tory  in 
the  county !  That's  right,  Adami  jist  empty  another 
gourd  upon  the  roots,  ue  poor  thing  looks  thirsty." 

How  the  hunter's  tow,  and  the  resolve  of  his  ex- 
cited compatriots,  were  carried  into  eflfect,  may  be 
best  told  in  another  chapter. 


% 


Im 


'<**• 


4t 


ORETSLABR  ; 


CHAPTER  IV. . 


THB   FIRST  SHOT. 

"  From  man  to  man  and  bouse  to  house,  like  fir* 
The  kindling  impulse  flew ;  till  everjr  hind, 
Scarce  conscious  why,  handles  his  targe  and  bow, 
Still  talks  of  change." 

HlIXBOVSB.     ! 

\.  .    .  ■    .         ' 

It  was  the  middle  watch  of  a  summer's  night. 
The  shadows  lay  deep  on  fell  and  forest;  but 
abore,  the  waning  moon  shone  bravely  out  in  the 
blue  heavens.  The  night  was  calm ;  so  calm,  so 
still,  that  the  murmur  of  myriads  of  insects  grating 
their  wings  amid  the  leaves,  made,  as  it  were,  "a  si- 
lence audible.**  As  the  moon  gradually  approached 
the  horizon,  leaving  the  stars  only  to  gladden  the 
welkin,  this  creeping  symphony  appeared  gradu- 
ally to  have  its  concord  broken  in  upon  by  sounds 
which,  though  similar  in  character,  did  not  com- 
pletely harmonize  with  the  others.  A  humming 
noise,  like  that  of  a  huge  beetle  booming  through 
the  air,  first  broke  the  tiny  chorus.  It  was  answered 
by  the  harsh  discord  of  a  locust,  who  seemed  to  rap 
his  wings  with  angry  impatience,  like  some  old  fel- 
low jostled  by  his  mate  in  the  midst  of  a  nap.  His 
ire  was  reproved  by  a  pert  young  katydid,  whosfe 
shrill  tones  indicated  that  her  wings  were  only  half 
grown,  and  that  the  froward  thing  must  be  the  ear- 
liest of  the  season.  Then  followed  sundry  orches- 
tral croaks  of  a  tree-toad,  which  in  turn  were  replied 
to  by  the  deep  diapason  of  some  sturdy  bullfrog. 
At  last  the  feathered  tribe  seemM  preparing  to  join 


■■;  fi' 


A  ROMANCB   OF  THB   MOHAWK. 


43 


IM 


in  this  nocturnal  conceit.  The  timid  and  delicate 
note  of  the  night-sparrow,  rising  distinctly  fine  from 
a  clump  of  maples,  was  answered  by  the  shrill  and 
petulant  cry  of  the  whippoorwill  from  the  lower 
Doughs  of  a  broad-armea  oak,  that  stood  singly  in 
an  open  glade  of  the  forest. 

With  the  last  call  the  woods  became  suddenly 
mute,  but  the  next  moment  the  spot  was  alive  with 
a  dozen  dusky  figures  that  glided  from  the  adjacent 
thickets  towards  the  trysting-tree. 

"Well  answered,  my  mates,'*  cried  an  actife 
woodsman,  leaping  from  the  oak  into  the  midst  of 
them ;  "  are  we  all  together  ?  I  see  nothing  around 
me  but  hunting-shirts.  Ah !  all  right/'  he  added, 
as  some  thirty  men,  in  parties  of  three  each,  came 
cautioiftly  forward  from  blind  by-path  and  tangled 
forest  lair,  where  the  hunters  had  answered  each 
other's  signals  while  guiding  the  rest  to  the  place  of 
rendezvous. 

One  of  the  last  comers,  who  were  all  in  the  ordi- 
nary dress  of  citizens  or  plain  farmers,  now  advanced 
to  the  first  speaker,  and,  catching  his  hand,  said, 
while  wringing  it  cordially,  "  Most  neatly  managed, 
my  sturdy  Bait.  You  have  brought  us  safely  and 
quietly  together  when  I  apprehended  the  worst 
nrom  the  outlying  spies  of  Sir  John's  Indian  rabble. 
And  now,  gentlemen,  as  you  have  chosen  me  your 
leader  in  this  business,  I  pledge  my  life  to  its  ac- 
complishment under  the  present  auspices." 

**  Why,  you  see  I  told  you.  Major  Sammons,  that 
we  hunters  didn't  live  among  the  Injuns  for  nothin', 
for  where'd  be  the  use  of  consorting  with  the  red- 
skins if  you  didn't  catch  some  of  their  edication 
from  the  cunning  varmints  ?  And  you've  all  seen  to- 
night that  the  woods  afford  calls,  jist  as  many  and 
as  good  calls  as  a  bugle  has,  for  making  men  act  in 
coD9ort»  where  they  can't  see  a  signal  no  how.    But 


15     ;- 


'■:v'  jl 


H 


ORBYSLABR  ; 


III 


now  my  say's  over ;  and  Iet*s  hear  the  crowing  of 
the  game-cock  of  Caughnawaugha — axing  your 
pardon,  major,  for  the  freedom." 

"  Are  we  all  armed  ?**  said  Sammons,  glancing 
around  the  group ;  "  Colonel  Fonda,  you  and  young 
Derrick  de  Roos  have,  of  course,  your  side-armi 
with  you." 

"Ay,  ay,  sword  and  pistol  both  for  me.  But 
carry  on,  carry  on,  major,  we  are  all  ready,  man, 
and  up  to  anything ;  carry  on,  carry  on.*'  The  cay 
youth  who  thus  spoke  with  so  little  show  of  defer- 
ence to  his  seniors,  was  a  curly-headed,  fair-faced 
gallant  of  about  three  and  twenty.  His  features 
were  frank  and  good-humoured,  and  certainly  pre- 
possessing in  the  main,  though  something  of  sensu- 
ality, if  not  of  dissoluteness,  in  their  cast,  slightly 
Tulgarized  by  broadening  their  natural  recklessness 
of  expression. 

"  reace  for  the  nonce,  mad  Dirk,"  cried  Sam- 
mons,  somewhat  impatiently.  "Kit  Lansingh," 
he  continued,  turning  to  a  tall  and  modest-looking 
younff  hunter  in  a  green  rifle  frock,  "  you  are  a 
model  for  such  younkers  to  dress  their  manners  by. 
Captain  Vischer,  Helmer,  Veeder,  I  see  you  are 
prepared.  Ah !  Adam,  that  was  well  thought ;  you 
are  not  used  to  a  sword,  and  your  pitchfork  may  do 
ffood  service.  Bleecker,  you  must  lay  aside  that 
iusee,  or  draw  the  charge ;  not  a  shot  must  be  fired 
unless  Bait  and  his  hunters,  who  are  to  cover  our 
retreat,  should  find  it  necessary  to  use  their  rifles. 
Doctor,  we'll  trust  you  with  your  pistols ;  but,  re- 
member, they  must  remain  in  your  belt.  Clyde, 
your  axe  is  well  thought  of;  but  where's  Wentz 
with  his  crowbar  ?" 

**  Black  Jake  has  the  crow,  and  I've  brought  along 
this  suckling  <fl:ip-hammer  with  me." 

As  the  brawny  blacksmith  i^swered  thus,  he 


'Ildlillliill!  h 


A  ROMANCE  OF.  THE   MOHAWK. 


45 


r  me.    But 
jeady,  man, 
The-ffay 
^  of  defer- 
,  fair-faced 
is  features 
rtainly  pre- 
g  of  sensu- 
St,  slightly 
cklessueas 

ricd  Sam- 
-•ansingh," 
ist-lookin^r 
you  are  a 
anners  by. 
B  you  are 
•ght;  you 
k  may  do 
i^ide  that 
t  be  fired 
cover  our 
eir  rifles. 
;  but,  re- 

a  Wentz 


raised  a  ponderous  sledge  from  the  sod  upon  which 
it  rested,  and  threw  it  into  the  hollow  of  his  arm  as 
carelessly  as  if  it  were  some  light  bawble  he  was 
handling. 

With  these,  and  a  few  more  brief  and  rapidly 
given  directions,  the  Whig  leader  soon  marshalled 
his  zealous  forces,  a  large  proportion  of  which  had 
come  a  day's  journey  or  more  through  the  woods  to 
the  place  of  rendezvous,  some  two  miles  west  of 
Johnstown. 

A  short  walk  of  a  few  minutes  found  the  party  in 
the  immediate  neighbourhood  of  Sir  John  Johnson's 
fortified  mansion,  when  a  halt  was  ordered  for  the 
purpose  of  adopting  some  new  precautions  in  ma- 
king the  circuit  of  the  building. 

**  Now,  major,"  whispered  Bait,  approaching  the 
ear  of  the  leader,  "if  you'll  only  say  the  word, 
we'll  make  a  clean  business  of  it  at  once.  Here 
are  fifty  as  good  fellows  as  you'll  find  in  old  Tryon. 
Sir  John  has  but  a  hundred  of  his  Highlanders  with 
him  ;  and  when  I  pick  off  that  sentinel  whose  blun- 
derbuss gleams  agin  the  casement  yonder,  you'Mi 
only  to  dash  right  into  the  hall  and  take  the  bloody 
Tory,  with  all  his  papish  crew." 

"  The  time  is  not  yet  come  for  that,  my  worthy 
fellow,"  answered  Col.  Fonda,  who  overheard  the 
request ;  "  Sir  John  is  an  old  neighbour  of  many  of 
us.  His  father  was  the  friend  of  my  father ;  he 
was  born  here  in  the  valley  among  us ;  his  mother 
was  one  of  our  own  people ;  he  may  yet  think  bet- 
ter of  his  course,  and  determine  to  act  with  his 
countrymen  against  the  tyrannical  ministry." 

"The  colonel  says  right,"  rejoined  Sammons. 
"  And  though  Sir  John  has  already  dealt  harshly 
with  me  and  my  brothers  during  the  troubles,  yet  I 
am  not  the  man  to  hurry  him  on  to  his  fate,  and  make 
him  irretrievably  commit  himself  on  the  wrong  side 


«i. 


46 


ORBYSIJLBR  I 


of  the  quarrel.  No ;  let  us  pass  on,  my  friend ; 
we  came  only  to  rescue  Max  Greyslaer,  and  we  will 
harm  no  one  save  those  who  interfere  in  the  attempt 
to  liberate  him." 

And  adding  aloud  some  words,  which  were  intend- 
ed as  much  to  regulate  the  over-excited  zeal  of  hii 
younger  followers  as  to  repress  that  of  the  daring 
woodsman,  he  dismissed  the  subject  by  giving  the 
order  to  advance.  Throwing,  then,  the  old  mill  that 
was  in  use  in  Sir  William's  time,  between  them- 
selves  and  the  hall,  the  party  followed  down  the 
rivulet  north  of  the  house,  till  they  reached  the  little 
bridge,  memorable  for  Sir  John's  horse  having  fallen 
dead  upon  it  while  spurring  vainly  to  «each  the  bed- 
side of  his  dying  father,  a  few  years  before  the  pe- 
riod of  our  story ;  and  shortly  after  the  whole  band 
entered  the  village  of  Johnstown. 

The  slumbering  inhabitants  little  dreamed  of  the 
bold  deed  that  was  meditated  in  the  midst  of  them,  as 
the  conspirators  glided  through  their  silent  streets. 
The  party  reached  the  jail,  which  stood  in  rather  an 
isolated  position  near  the  southeastern  comer  of  the 
town,  and  no  one  was  yet  disturbed.  They  drew  up 
in  the  shadow  of  the  building,  stationing  themselves 
before  an  iron  wicket  within  a  few  yards  of  the  main 
entrance;  the  hunter  Bait,  at  the  instance  of  his 
leader,  advanced  to  the  outer  door  to  try  the  effect  of 
a  parley  with  the  jailer.  A  rap  with  his  ponderous 
knuckles  upon  the  oaken  door  brought  only  a  hol- 
low echo  from  within ;  and  Bait,  after  vainly  wait- 
ing a  moment  or  two  for  a  more  satisfactory  answer, 
applied  his  lips  to  the  keyhole. 

"Mike,  Michael,"  he  cried;  *' Michael,  I  say! 
the  blasted  paddy's  asleep.  Jake,  move  hither 
with  your  crowbar — softly  though — he  hears." 

"  I  hear  ye,  ye  loon  ye ;  what  the  de*il  d*ye  want 


A  ROMANCB  OF  THB  ICOHAWK. 


47 


were  intend- 
1  zeal  of  hit 

the  daring 
y  givinff  the 
old  mill  that 
ween  them- 

doi»rn  the 
ed  the  little 
avinff  fallen 
ich  the  bed- 
fore  the  pe- 
whole  band 

med  of  the 
I  of  them,  as 
lent  streets, 
in  rather  an 
>mer  of  the 
By  drew  up 
themselFeg 
>f  the  main 
nee  of  his 
le  effect  of 
ponderous 
nly  a  hol- 
tinly  wait- 
•y  answer, 

I  I  sayf 
^e  hither 
irs." 

i'ye  want 


'with  Mike  at  this  hour  of  the  night;  a  murrain 
upon  ye !" 

**  Mike,  my  good  fellow,  I  come  with  a  message 
from  the  hall,  and  you  must  let  me  in  instantly." 

'*  From  the  hall,  eh  ?  ye  landloper ;  Til  hall  ye,  if 
I  get  hold  of  your  ugly  self  the  morrow.  Sir  John 
doesn't  often  send  midfnight  messages  to  old  Mike 
in  these  times ;  youVe  come  on  a  fool's  business, 
and  that's  your  own,  misther." 

"  I  know,  I  know  you,  foolish  Mike ;  but  there's 
been  a  rising  below  of  the  Whi — ,  I  mean  the  rebels. 
Yorpy,  the  balf-breedi  has  just  brought  the  news 
from  Caughnawaugha,  and  Sir  John  wishes  to  move 
young  Greyslaer  to  the  hall  for  safer  keeping." 

'*  Let  him  send  the  sheriff,  then,  or  a  sargeant's 
guard  of  his  Scotchmen ;  the  lazy  loons  have  no- 
thing better  to  do  than  play  sodger  there  from  one 
week's  end  to  the  other.  Ileil  a  bit  will  Michael 
open  jail  till  he  does.  So  clear  out  wi'  ye,  or  I'll 
unchain  the  dog  through  the  wicket." 

As  the  sturdy  jailer  pronounced  these  words,  a 
deep-mouthed  mastiff,  who  had  hitherto  been  snuff- 
ing impatiently  beneath  the  door,  uttered  a  fierce 
growl,  and  seem^,  with  the  sagacity  of  his  race,  that 
no  exit  was  to  be  had  this  way,  ran  round  to  the 
wicket  and  commenced  barking  furiously  at  the 
party  which  was  crowded  near  it. 

"  Curse  the  brute,"  said  Bait ;  "  will  no  one  stop 
his  mouth  with  a  pitchfork  ?" 

'*  Bait,  your  profanity  would  bring  a  blight  on  the 
most  riffhteous  cause,"  said  the  leader,  sternly; 
"  stand  back,  and  let  Jake  heave  the  door  at  once 
with  his  crow ;  no  time  is  to  be  lost." 

A  sinewy  mulatto,  whose  muscles,  long  exercised 
in  %{\e  toil  of  a  journeyman  blacksmith*  seemed  to 
have  assimilated  to  the  tough  material  in  which  he 
worked,  moved  to  the  spot  and  struck  the  crowbar 


* ) 


m,  ^ 


ij 


48 


0RBY8LABR  : 


- 


between  the  door  and  the  lintel.  But  the  blow, 
though  repeated  for  the  second  and  third  time,  seem 
ed  to  produce  but  little  effect,  until  his  master,  rush- 
ing forward,  threw  his  whole  weight  into  his  gigan- 
tic sledge-hammer,  in  the  same  moment  that  the 
mulatto  summoned  all  his  force  for  one  more  effort. 
The  door  went  down  crashing  inward,  while  poor 
Jake,  who  pitched  himself  fairly  within  the  entrance, 
was  saluted  on  his  sconce  by  the  jailer  with  a  huge 
bunch  of  keys,  which  would  have  crushed  the  scull 
of  any  other  than  a  negro,  and  which  made  Jake 
measure  his  length  upon  the  floor. 

"  Harm  not  the  faithful  Irishman,"  cried  Colonel 
Fonda,  arresting  with  his  hand  the  uplifted  hammer 
of  the  blacksmith ;'  "  the  brave  fellow  has  only  done 
his  duty." 

**  Thank  yere  honour,"  answered  Mike,  making  a 
reverence  as  he  felt  his  heart  touched  in  the  right 
place,  and  quietly  submitting  to  be  secured  by  the 
overwhelming  force  which  surrounded  him ;  **  thank 
yere  honour  kindly ;  rebel  or  no  rebel,  ye're  jist  the 

fintleman  that  Mike  would  take  service  under,  if  Sir 
ohn  was  not  a  kind  of  third  part  countryman,  and 
me  beholden  to  him  upon  the  top  o'  that,  yere  hon- 
our," added  he,  raising  his  voice,  as  the  colonel,  who 
had  seized  the  jailer's  lantern,  now  gained  the  top  of 
the  staircase. 

"Max,  my  boy,  Max  Greyslaer,  where  are  you  ?" 
shouted  Bait ;  "  whistle  but  once  from  your  perch, 
my  young  hawk  o'  the  mountain,  and — ah,  Jake, 
your  toothpick's  the  thing ;"  and,  interrupting  himself, 
18  he  sudaenly  clutched  the  crowbar  from  the  negro, 
he  dashed  in  a  panel  of  the  first  door  near  him,  and 
the  liberated  youns:  patriot  was  the  next  moment 
overwhelmed  with  the  congratulations  of  his  friendfi. 
Elated  with  their  success,  but  still  conscious  that 
thc^se  lawless  proceedings  might  recoil  severely 


A  ROMANCB  OF  THB  MOHAWK. 


40 


upon  themselTesy  the  band  of  Whigs  unanimously 
determined  to  seize  the  sheriff,  who  had  been  the 
wiUing  instrument  of  the  Johnsons  in  depriving 
Greyslaer  of  his  liberty,  and  hold  him  as  an  hostage 
for  their  own  safety.  This  gentleman,  a  brave  and 
zealous  loyalist,  cnanced  to  be  absent  from  home, 
passing  the  night  with  his  friends  at  tho  hall.  But 
nis  house  was  left  in  charge  of  one  of  his  myrmi* 
dons,  equally  determined  in  character  with  the  sher- 
ifif  himself. 

This  redoubtable  fellow,  of  German  parentage, 
and  who,  under  the  name  of  Wolfert  Yaltmeyer,  or 
Red  Wolfert,  as  he  was  more  generally  called,  be- 
came afterward  the  terror  of  the  border,  was  a  hun- 
ter by  profession ;  and,  though  impatient  of  restraint, 
reckless  of  temper,  and  wholly  undisciplined  in  char- 
acter for  the  ordinary  purposes  of  social  life,  he  waa 
well  suited,  not  less  by  his  remarkable  strength  and 
activity,  than  by  his  hardihood  and  love  of  daring  en- 
terprise, to  fill  the  station  of  a  bailiff  among  the 
frontier  community  around  him.  In  this  capacity 
he  had,  in  former  years,  been  frequently  retained 
upon  an  emergency,  when  his  services  were  tem- 
porarily  in  demand ;  but  the  life  of  a  free  hunter 
was  so  dear  to  him  that  he  could  never  be  per- 
suaded to  undertake  the  permanent  duties  of  a 
sheriff's  officer.  Indeed,  the  love  of  his  personal 
liberty  and  freedom  from  all  responsibility  was  so 
strong  in  Valtmeyer's  bosom,  that  it  seemed  to 
leave  room  for  one  only  other  sentiment — a  grasp- 
ing desire  after  gold  to  procure  him  immunity  from 
labour,  and  the  free  indulgence  of  his  lawless  pleas- 
ures. 

Wolfert  Valtmeyer,  being  such  as  we  have  de- 
scribed him,  was  not  long  in  making  up  his  mind 
which  of  the  two  contending  civil  factions  to  sid) 
with.    For,  while  property,  and  the  conseqivat 

Vol.  I.— E 


■     1:       . 


i:f 


60 


ORBYiLABR ; 


means  of  rewarding  His  seryices,  was  in  his  coun^ 
ty  chiefly  on  the  side  of  the  Tories,  he  was  already 
indebted  to  sonne  leading  individuals  aaiong  this 
party  for  rescuing  him  from  punishment  as  a  felon, 
and  conniving  at  his  escape  to  a  distant  part  of  the 
country.  Rumours  of  his  death  were  subsequently 
put  in  circulation,  while  all  legal  investigation  graa- 
ually  died  away  so  completely,  that  Valtmeyer  now 
ventured,  amid  the  confusion  of  the  times,  to  steal 
back  to  his  old  haunts,  and  even  offer  his  secret 
services  to  the  magistracy  of  the  county.  Though 
the  difficulties  with  the  crown  had  so  lately  com- 
menced, yet  he  had  already  given  signal  proofs  of 
his  zeal  in  sustaining  the  royal  cause ;  nor  was  he 
wanting  in  courage  and  conduct  upon  the  present 
occasion. 

The  house  of  his  principal  being  sufficiently  far 
from  the  jail  for  Valtmeyer  not  to  overhear  the  com- 
motion that  had  already  taken  place,  he  was  awa- 
kened in  the  dead  of  the  night  by  the  angry  shouti 
and  imprecations  of  the  crowd  that  rushed  thither, 
and  called  from  beneath  the  windows  for  the  sheriff; 
butt  undismayed  equally  by  the  suddenness  of  the 
attack  and  the  strength  of  those  who  came  in  such 
force  to  assail  the  person  whom  he  represented, 
Valtmeyer  only  greeted  the  uproar  with  a  muttered 
oath  or  two,  as  he  prepared  to  meet  the  occasion. 

"  Heilege  Kreuz  Donnerwetter !  but  I  will  make 
the  hide  of  one  hound  smoke  for  it ;"  and,  growling 
thus,  he  leaped  half  naked  from  his  bed,  snatched  a 
loaded  pistol  from  its  case,  and  threw  open  the  win- 
dow-sash. "Now,  verfluchter  kerl,  look  well  to 
thyself,**  muttered  the  ruffian,  as  he  singled  out  for 
his  aim  the  leader  of  the  party,  who  was  standing  in 
the  porch  apart  from  his  followers.  Raising  his 
Toice  then,  and  at  the  same  time  imitating,  as  nearly 
as  possible,  that  of  the  absent  sheriff, 

*'  Is  that  you,  Sammons  ?"  he  cried. 


»; 


A  BOMANOB  OV  THB  IIOHA'WK. 


61 


"  Yes,"  was  the  prompt  reply. 

"  Then  take  that  for  «  d— <1  burglarious  rebel.*! 

A  ball  whizzed  past  the  head  of  the  sturdy  Whig, 
and  buried  itself  in  the  doorpost  beside  him. 
**  This,"  says  the  historian,  "  was  the  first  shot  fired 
in  the  Revolution  west  of  the  Hudson.'* 

Though  happily  uninjured  by  the  bullet,  yet  it 
glanced  so  near  that  the  patriot  leader  recoiled  as  it 

grazed  his  temples,  and  nis  followers,  thinking  that 
e  was  about  to  fall,  forgot,  in  the  quick  thirst  o7  ten- 
geance,  the  order  they  had  received  from  his  lips 
an  hour  before.  A  dozen  rifles  were  instantly  dis 
charged  into  the  open  window,  but  a  scornful  shout 
from  the  bold  Tory  within  told  that  their  fire 
was  ineffectual.  A  tumultuous  rush  at  the  door 
was  the  next  movement  of  the  infuriated  crowd. 
It  was  quickly  burst  open,  and  the  fate  of  Valt- 
meyer  turned  upon  a  single  cast.  The  foremost  of 
the  assailing  party  were  already  upon  the  staircase, 
and  making  tneir  way  to  his  bedroom,  when  the  re- 
port of  a  distant  cannon  proclaimed  that  their  volley 
of  firearms  had  been  heard  beyond  the  precincts  of 
the  village,  and  that  the  Tories  would  soon  be  upon 
them. 

**  Back  men,  back  ;  heard  ye  not  our  signal  for 
retiring  ?  'Tis  the  alarm  gun  fired  at  the  Hall  by 
Sir  Jonn.  Bait,  Adam,  down  with  ye  at  once! 
Lansingh,  Greyslaer,  call  off  our  friends,  or  we. 
shall  have  the  bluff  Highlanders  upon  us  to  spoil 
our  night's  work  before  we  regain  the  woods." 

"  Don't  ye  hear  the  major,  Squire  Dirk  ?"  cried 
Bait,  throwing  his  arms  around  that  rash  youth,  who 
still  attempted  to  push  through  the  crowd  and  mount 
the  stairs  in  the  very  teeth  of  the  order  that  had  just 
been  given  by  his  leader ;  and  lifting  young  De  Roos 
fairly  from  his  feet,  the  stalwart  hunter  urged  the 
others  before  him  through  the  door,  and  was  him- 
felf  the  last  to  retire  from  the  scene. 


>! 


i.         % 


&'m 


I'l  1 


62 


ORBYSLABli; 


CHAPTER  V.       * 

BTININO  VISITER!. 

"  Our  fortreit  is  the  good  green  wood, 
Our  tent  the  cypreas-tree, 
We  know  the  forest  round  ui 
As  seamen  know  the  sea  ; 
We  know  its  walls  of  thorny  Tines, 
Its  glades  of  reedy  srass, 
Its  safe  and  silent  i  Jands 
\    I  '  •■      Within  the  deep  morass.*'— tBatant. 

*'  I  RATTHiR  guess/'  quoth  Bait,  when  the  part^ 
had  all,  by  different  routes,  arrived  at  last  at  their 
place  of  rendezvous  in  a  moonlit  clade  of  the  forest, 
"  I  ray  ther  guess  that  we've  stirrea  the  game  richt  in 
airnest  this  night,  and  the  best  thing  we  can  do  to- 
morrow is  to  commence  running  balls  for  a  good 
long  hunt." 

**  Our  sturdy  friend  speaks  truly,  gentlemen," 
■aid  the  leader  of  the  party,  gravely,  "  and  Heaven 
only  knows  how  the  '  long  hunt,'  as  he  terms  it,  may 
terminate." 

'*  Be  the  issue  what  it  may,**  exclaimed  Greyslaer, 
in  tones  of  deep  fervour,  while  his  earnest,  eye 
kindled  with  enthusiasm,  "  the  game's  afoot,  and 
whether  it  lead  to  freedom  or  the  grave,  we  must 
henceforth  follow  the  chase." 

**  Why  the  devil.  Max,  do  you  put  on  the  phiz 
of  a  parson  when  using  the  lingo  of  a  sportsman  ?** 
cried  the  gay  Derrick  de  Roos.  "  It  becomes  the 
old  cocks,  who  have  drawn  apart  to  prose  under 
the  tree  yonder,  to  look  sermons,  as  well  as  preach 
them ;  but  for  us,  man>  for  naettlesoina  chapt  like 
w»why. 


A.  ROMANO!  OW»TBM  MOHAWK. 


63 


'  We  hunteri  who  roHow  the  chue,  the  chMe  ' 

.  Ride  ever  with  Care  a  race,  a  race, 

And  we  reck  not,' "  dec,  &c. 

'  And  the  rattling  youngster,  to  the  great  delight 
of  old  Bait  and  sonne  of  the  juniors,  and  the  equal 
annoyance  of  Greyslaer  and  other  more  thoughtful 
members  of  the  party,  ran  through  a  verse  or  two 
of  a  popular  huntmg  song,  long  smce  forgotten. 

**  Well,  Mr.  de  Roos,"  said  Col.  Fonda,  coming 
forward  from  the  group,  in  whose  councils  Greys- 
laer seemed  to  be  taking  an  active  part,  from  the 
impatient  glances  he  from  time  to  time  cast  over 
his  shoulder  at  the  singer,  from  whose  side  he  had 
in  the  mean  time  withdrawn ;  "  well,  sir,  we  have 
determined  to  take  decided  measures  for  ascertain- 
ing the  real  state  of  the  county,  and  puttinir  our 
friends  upon  their  guard,  and  your  father's  nous* 
is  spoken  of  as  the  place  of  our  next  meeting  on 
Thursday  night." 

"  The  old  man  will  be  proud  to  entertain  your 
friends  and  mine.  Col.  Fonda ;  and  yet,"  added  the 
young  man,  with  a  degree  of  hesitation  that  show- 
ed more  considerateness  than  might  ha* e  been  ex- 
pected from  his  conduct  a  moment  before ; ''  Hawks- 
nest  is  the  property  of  my  father's  ward.  Max 
Greyslaer  there ;  and,  after  what  has  passed  this 
night,  an  overt  act  of  rebellion  by  the  present  ten- 
ant, in  harbouring  traitors,  as  the  Tones  call  us, 
might  make  poor  Max  forfeit  his  acres,  in  case  the 
ministry  get  the  better  in  this  family  quarrel ;  some 
of  the  grasping  rogues  begin  already  to  talk  of  se- 
questrations and  such  matters,  you  know." 

Greyslaer,  upon  overhearing  these  remarks,  ad- 
vanced, and  whispered  to  his  friend,  **  If  you  be 
not  quizzing,  according  to  your  wont.  Dirk,  I  con- 
gratulate you  upon  the  seasonable  return  to  gravity 
which  your  speech  evinces.  But,  gentlemen/'  he 
•  £2 


it 


y 
v 
■■*# 


64 


OAETtLABB  ; 


] 


continued,  raiiinff  hie  voice  as  he  turned  to  hit  other 
connpatriots,  "  1  shall  consider  your  confidence 
withdrawn  from  me,  as  one  unworthy  to  share  it, 
if  the  hint  sug^sted  by  my  friend  De  Roos— I 
doubt  not  in  all  kindness— be  allowed  to  have  a  mo- 
ment's weight  with  you.  My  honour  is  already 
committed  in  the  cause  you  have  espoused  ;  my  life 
I  here  pledge  to  it,  and  he  can  be  no  friend  to  Max 
Greyslaer  who  holds  his  fortune  dearer  than  his 
life  or  his  honour  l** 

These  words,  not  less  than  the  spirited  tone  in 
which  they  were  pronounced,  terminated  at  once 
ill  doubts  as  to  the  propriety  of  the  step  that  was 
meditated ;  and  the  discussion,  as  well  as  the  events 
of  the  eveninff,  seemed  at  an  end.  The  hunter 
Bait,  who  had  lounged  about  the  while,  without 
Tenturing  to  intrude  his  advice  upon  those  more 
fitted  by  education  than  himself  for  council,  now 
brightened  up,  and  shook  off  the  air  of  listlessness 
that  had  crept  over  him.  He  struck  the  butt  of  his 
rifle  smartly  upon  the  sod,  and  surveying  it  affec- 
tionately for  a  moment,  as  he  held  it  thus  at  arm's 
length  perpendicular  to  the  ground,  as  if  to  catch 
inspiration  from  the  gaze,  he  with  becoming  gravi- 
ty thus  delivered  himself:  "  Well,  I  only  wanted 
to  see  folks  get  through  with  their  parrorching,  for 

20U  ae^  I*m  no  great  hand  at  making  a  speech ;  Tve 
een  here  to  your  public  meetings  and  there  to 
your  public  meetings,  and  I  never  felt  in  my  heart 
ai  if  Datur  called  upon  me  to  say  anything ;  for 
when  natur  does  call,  and  right  in  airnest,  she 
■peaks  out  of  the  mouths  of  hunters  as  well  as  o£ 
babes  and  sucklings.  She  doesn't  care,  I  say,  much, 
when  she's  right  in  airnest,  what  sort  o'  tool  she 
works  with ;  jist  as  I've  seen  a  good  hunter,  w|io 
had  got  out  of  powder  when  ravin  dintracted  hungry, 
brinff  down  a  buck  as  slick  witlr  a  bow  and  arrow 
as  ifit  had  been  his  own  rifle,  and  that,- too,  when  he 


i  I 


m 


▲  ROMAlfCa  or  TBB  MOHAWK. 


65 


had  never  used  the  ridiculous  thing  in  hie  life  afore. 
Well,  18  I  said,  Vm  tired  of  this  etarnal  parrorching 
thout  the  country*8  troublei ;  I  only  wanted  to  lee 
folks  begin  to  make  a  raal  thing  of  it,  and  then 
Tender-Tavy — I  call  the  iron  crittur  after  this 
fashion,  gentlemfi,  partly  out  o*  respect  to  Misi 
Octavia,  old  Deai  ^m  Wingear,  the  tavern-keeper*! 
darter,  and  partly  because  the  barrel  is  of  so  soft 
a  natur  that  I  can  chip  it  with  nny  hunting  knife. 
I  sny,  that  when  once  there  was  a  raal  rising  of  the 
Whigs,  then  this  here  rifle — "  interrupting  nimself 
at  the  word,  Bait  clapped  to  his  shoulder  the  repu- 
table weapon  of  which  he  spake,  and  glancing 
along  the  barrel  as  it  gleamed  in  the  moonlight, 
beckoned  with  his  forefinger  to  a  shadowy  figure 
that  stood  motionless  beneath  a  spreading  chestnut 
within  the  range  of  his  fire,  "  Come  in,  ye  varmint, 
come  in,  ye  lurching  mouser  from  old  Nick's 
pantry,  ye  pisoned  scum  of  the  devil's  copper  cal- 
dron ;  come  in,  ye  scouting  redskin,  or  Tender-Tavy 
shall  blow  a  hole  through  ye." 

**  Fire  not.  Bait,"  cried  Greyslaer  and  De  Roos, 
both  leaping  at  the  same  moment  before  the  lev- 
elled gun  :  "  'tis  the  noble  Oneida  Teondetha."  And 
the  two  young  men  bounded  forward  with  out- 
atretched  arms  to  greet  their  Indian  friend. 

"  Bah  t  only  an  Oneida,"  said  the  rifleman,  drop- 
ping his  piece  in  a  tone  of  sullen  disappointment ; 
**  I  wouldn't  harm  the  boy,  pervided  he  comes  as  a 
friend ;  but,  youngsters,  though  you  seem  to  be  so 
mighty  fond  of  him,  when  you  know  as  much  of 
the  woods  as  old  Bait,  you'll  lam  that  the  less  one 
has  to  do  with  an  Injun  the  better.  Let  every  man 
slick  to  his  colour,  is  my  motto." 

The  momentary  flash  of  anger  that  distorted  the 
smooth  and  bland  features  of  the  Indian,  showed  that 
he  partially  underitood  the  disparaging  words  of  the 


»1 


se 


GRKTSLABB  ; 


lilinyi 


I'i 


white  hunter ;  but  the  didturbed  expression  passed 
away  as  the  gentlemen  of  the  party,  unheeding  the 
rude  rennarks  of  Bait,  advanced  with  eager  cordial- 
ity successively!  and  gave  their  hands  to  the  new- 
comer. 

"And  what  news  brings  my  youAg  brother  from 
his  people  ?"  said  Greyslaer,  addressing  the  Oneida 
in  his  own  language. 

"  The  song  of  evil  birds  has  been  heard  in  the 
lodges  of  the  Ongwi-Honwi.  The  Oneidas  only, 
of  all  the  Six  Nations,  have  shut  their  ears,  against 
it.  l^heir  hearts  bleed  to  know  that  the  rest  of  their 
countrymen  are  bent  upon  rooting  out  the  sons  of 
Corlaer  from  the  land.  The  Oneidas  will  not  help 
to  destroy  a  People  born  on  the  same  soil  with 
themselves.  Their  wise  men  say,  it  were  better  at 
once  to  extinguish  the  great  council  fire  that  has 
burned  for  centuries  at  Onondaga,  and  thus  dissolve 
the  league  of  the  Aganuschion.  The  Oneidas  are 
unwilling  to  take  up  the  hatchet  against  their  form- 
er brothers,  whether  red  or  white ;  but  they  warn 
you  that  Thayendanagea  has  sold  the  Mohawks  to 
the  Sagernash  king,  and  that  they  now  walk  with 
your  enemies.'* 

"  What !  Brant  actually  up  in  arms !"  exclaimed 
a  dozen  voices,  when  Greyslaer  had  interpreted  the 
information  to  his  friends. 

**  He  flits  along  the  border  like  a  foul  bird  in 
scent  of  carrion.  He  watches  the  smoke  of  your 
lodffes ;  and,  if  their  hearth-fires  be  unguarded,  he 
will  swoop  like  that  night-hawk  upon  your  women 
and  little  ones,"  replied  the  Indian,  as  a  dusky  bird 
pounced  greedily  upon  a  swarm  of  gnats  that  hov- 
ered near. 

"  The  wily  knave  must  be  looked  after  instantly, 
gentlemen ;  we  must  lose  no  time  in  collecting  in- 
formation respecting  his  moTemeati»  and  determine 


I! 


yr. 


A  ROMANCB  OV  THB  MOHAWK. 


iT 


upon  actire  measures  at  the  next  meeting  of  our 
friends.  But  as  yet  we  are  all  in  the  dark.  If  you, 
Mr.  de  Roos,  will  take  a  scout  of  a  dozen  men  with 
you,  and  bring  us  some  tidings  of  this  dangerous 
chieftain,  it  will  give  more  shape  to  our  proceedings. 
This  friendly  Oneida  will  doubtless,  with  Bait  and 
some  of  his  comrades,  volunteer — " 

"  Aiing  your  pardon,  colonel,  Bait  don*t  go  scout- 
ing with  an  Injun  in  the  party.  Tender-Tary 
doesn't' know  much  difference  atwizt  one  copper 
face  and  another,  and  she'd  be  jist  as  like  as  not^ 
in  a  dark  swamp,  to  mistake  that  sleek  chap  for  one 
of  Brant's  people,  and  go  off  of  herself.  So  there's 
an  eend  o'  the  matter."  And  the  woodsman,  crossing 
his  legs,  leaned  moodily  upon  his  rifle,  with  an  air 
of  dogged  determination  to  which  there  was  no  re- 
ply. 

"If  Bait  chooses,"  said  Greyslaer,  "I  would 
rather  have  him  with  me,  as  I  shall  find  difficulty 
in  getting  my  company  together  without  assistanco 
in  time  for  the  meeting." 

**  I  don't  see  that,  capting,  as  folks  are  now  en- 
gaged in  harvesting,  and  you'll  find  them  pretty 
much,  here  and  there,  in  bunches,  holping  one  anoth- 
er. But  I  feel  sarcy-able  in  persuading  some  of 
your  wild  chaps  to  come  along,  that  I  guess  wont 
move  from  their  homes  at  this  season  for  your 
order,  no  how." 

"For  God's  sake,  then,. go  with  Greyslaer,  you 
self-willed  old  bear.  Let's  to  other  matters,  gen- 
tlemen," cried  De  Roos,  impatiently. 

"If  I  am  an  old  bear,  I  never  hugged  you  to 
harm  you,  young  squire,  when  I  used  to  carry  you 
as  a  petted  hra^gMMue  shoot  pigeons  from  a 
bough-house^flHKS||^of  dandling  in  other 
ways  that  XflHMniSHHLold — paws !" 

**  True,  ^^^^I^^^^HKend,"  answered  De 


58 


OBBTMLABR  ; 


Roos,  good  humouredly,  while  with  difficulty  re- 
straining a  laugh  at  the  ludicrous  words  and  accom- 
panying gesture  with  which  the  stout-fisted  woods- 
man concluded  his  mortified  appeal  to  the  better 
feelings  of  the  other.  **  I  spoke  but  in  jest,  Bait, 
or,  at  least,  too  hastily.  And  now,  carry  on,  boys, 
carry  on ;  Kit  Lansingh,  Helmer,  Bleecker,  Conyne, 
which  of  you  lads  are  ready  to  take  duty  under  my 
command,  for  twenty-four  hours,  while  we  look  al- 
ter Brant  up  by  the  Garoga  lakes  ?" 

Twenty  voices  initantly  replied,  all  expressing 
their  readiness  to  go  upon  the  scout ;  and  De  Roos*8 
only  difficulty  was,  to  select  from  the  number  those 
best  suited  to  such  an  expedition. 

"  Well,  gentlemen,"  said  Mr.  Sammons,  who  was 
only  the  temporary  leader  of  the  party,  and  whoto 
we  ought,  perhaps,  according  to  the  worsh))pful  cus- 
tom of  our  country,  still  to  distinguish  by  his  militia 
title  of  major,  "  1  believe  we  now  all  understand 
each  other,  and  had  better  disperse  to  our  houses ; 
those  of  us  who  live  near  will  see  ifthey  cannot  fur- 
nish a  bed  to  our  friends  who  have  come  from  a 
distance  on  the  good  errand  of  this  night.  Per- 
haps, though,  Mr.  de  Roos  proposes  a  night  march 
with  some  of  you  ?" 

The  young  partisan  needed  not  the  hint  to  spur 
his  zeal,  but,  warmly  seconded  by  his  followers,  he 
drew  c£f  at  once,  and  took  his  way  through  the 
woods  with  his  party,  trolling  as  he  went  a  vOy- 
ageur's  song  of  the  Mohawk  boatmen,  in  which  his 
favourite  slang  phrase  seemed  to  make  the  burden 
of  the  chorus  : 

*'  Cany  on,  cany  on,  His  the  word  that  will  bear, 
From  one  bright  moment  p^M|^||||^er  aa  fair, 
So  lift  the  canoe,  lads,  i^|flBHB|HH|o« 
Though  we're  leaving  tt^H^HJJHHlHbn  the  laks : 
The  portage  it  made, ' 
Now  bend  to  your  oi 


▲  AOMANCB  OF  THB  MOHAWK. 


09 


'  The  low-Toiced  chant  of  the  retifing  party  soon 
died  away  in  the  distance,  and  their  departure  was  the 
signal  for  Jbreaking  up  the  assemblage,  and  the  oth- 
er patriots  soon  dispersed,  the  majority  taking  their 
route  rewards  Caughnawaugha,  and  others  moving 
off  in  different  directions,  two  and  three  together,  until 
Bait  and  Greyslaer  were  soon  left  the  only  tenants 
of  the  spot. 

''  It  wants  yet  some  hours  of  the  dawn,  capting, 
and  I  propose  sleeping  them  off  in  the  woods,  be- 
cause  it's  the  best  way  of  getting  an  airly  start  in 
the  morning.  And  we  may  perhaps  have  a  good  deal 
of  footing  to  do  about  among  the  farms  on  the  off 
settlements  to-morrow,  afore  we  can  get  your  men 
togetlier.  But  this  here  is  no  sort  of  place  to  camp 
in,  with  the  trails  of  fifty  men  leading  to  it  on  all 
sides.  There's  a  dry  swale  on  the  other  side  of  yon 
hill,  where  one  cf  '  y  old  shanties  is  probably  yet 
standing,  and  we*'  ,  ;>.  take  ourselves  there  as  soon 
as  may  be. 

"I  used  to  have  shanties  like  this  all  about 
among  these  hills  wherever  my  traps  were  set, 
though  none  so  near  the  settlements  as  this,"  contin- 
ued the  hunter,  when  they  had  gained  a  rocky  dell, 
where  the  frame  of  a  wretched  wigwam,  partially 
covered  with  birch  bark,  was  discernible  to  Greys- 
laer after  he  got  within  a  few  feet  of  it.  "You  see, 
now,  capting,  the  comfort  to  a  man  who  shanties 
out  as  much  as  I  do,  of  having  a  home  all  fixed  and 
ready  for  you.  Here,  now,  is  dried  venison  in  my 
katchy  (cache),  under  those  leaves,  if  the  wood- 
mice  haven't  got  at  it.  There,  too,  I've  laid  away 
some — but  darn  those  gnats,  I  must  make  a  smudge 
afore  we  do  anything  else." 

With  these  words.  Bait  proceeded  to  strike  a 
light ;  and .  kindling^first  some  dry  leaves,  he  scra- 
ped the  mo88  from  a  iinoist  stump  near,  and  cov- 


t^«.    11 


'    r  1% 


m 


V  h 


1  'UiBh 


I  I 


••<»*», 


on 


OBBTSLAltt; 


ering  up  the  flame  with  the  damp  material,  the 
thick  fumes  of  his  "  smudge"  soon  caused  the  insects 
to  disappear.  Greyslaer,  in  the  mean  time,  had 
stretched  himself  upon  some  hemlock  boughs,  spread 
out  beneath  the  shed  of  bark,  which  was  barely 
ample  enough  ^o  keep  off  the  dews  of  niffht;  and 
having  refreshed  himself  upon  the  fare  wnich  the 
hunter  drew  from  his  cache,  he  observed  to  Bait,  as 
the  latter  threw  a  fresh  handful  of  leaves  upon  the 
smouldering  flame,  "  That  a  hunter's  fire  was  a  sort 
of  company  for  him,  when  passing  a  night  in  the 
solitudes  of  the  wilderness."  ^; 

**  Jist  the  best  sort  of  company  a  man  can  hmre, 
capting,  if  he  would  exercise  a  free  and  independent 
privilege  of  choosing  his  own.  They  say,  you  know, 
that  the  devil  hates  all  flames  save  those  that  are 
kindled  by  himself;  and  in  my  hunts  among  the 
wild  hills  away  to  the  north  of  us,  I  never  shanty 
out  without  a  large  fire,  even  in  midsummer.  I  may 
be  kind  o'  particular  in  this  matter,  but  ever  since! 

S»t  so  terribly  scared  five  years  aso,  I  always  love 
e  light  of  a  big  fire  to  sleep  by.'^ 

Greyslaer,  instantly  suspecting  that  the  bhiff 
woodsman,  like  many  a  man  equally  bold,  was  the 
victim  of  superstitious  terrors,  asked,  with  some  cu- 
riosity, what  it  was  that  had  thus  inspired  him  with 
a  fear  of  sleeping  in  darkness,  when  Bait,  after  a 
}ffeliminary  hem  or  two,  thus  told  his  story. 

**  Why,  you  see,  I  had  gone  clean  up  to  Racket 
Lake  to  make  out  a  pack  of  deer-skins  for  a  Scotch 
trader  at  Schenectady,  hoping  to  get  a  few  beaver, 
at  the  same  time,  on  my  own  account.  Well,  I 
might  ha'  been  in  the  woods  a  week  or  more,  en- 
gaged about  my  consarns,  when,  one  day,  after 
trampoosing  over  a  pretty  smart  space  of  country, 
looking  after  my  different  trapt,  and,  not  having 
seen  a  single  deer  through  the  livelong  dfij,  I  came, 


iliiiiiii' 


it 


n 


▲  ROMANCE  OF  TBM   MOHAWK. 


6t 


about  nightfall,  to  a  bark  shanty,  where  some  hunter 
had  nnade  a  pretty  good  camp  for  the  night,  and  left 
it  standing.  I  was  tired  and  disappinted ;  and,  as 
I  hadn't  spirit  enough  left  in  me  even  to  skin  a  chip- 
munk, if  I  hadn't  a'  found  this  lodge  I  should  have 
laid  myself  down,  like  a  tired  hounel^  and  slept  any- 
where. 

"  But  now  I  began  ti  think  that  all  sorts  of  luck 
hadn't  left  me,  and  I  spunked  up  and  looked  about 
to  see  how  I  could  best  make  nrf^fself  comforta- 
ble for  the  night.  I  had  shot  a  brace  of  ducks  du- 
ring the  day,  and  the  first  thing  to  do  was  to  build 
a  fire  and  cook  'em.  But,  as  I  had  left  my  hatchet 
at  the  camp  from  which  I  started  in  the  morning, 
thinking  to  return  there  and  sleep,  it  cost  me  a  heap 
of  trouble  collecting  such  dead  branches  as  I  could 
lay  my  hands  upon,  and  dragging  'em  tocether  be* 
fore  the  shanty.  And  here  was  a  pretty  how-de-do 
when  I  got  'em  there ;  the  man  that  built  the  shed 
must  have  been  a  born  nateral  to  choose  such  a 
place  for  it.  For,  instead  of  picking  out  a  patch  of 
firm  airth  whereon  he  might  build  a  fire  judgmati- 
cally,  he  had  laid  the  logs  right  down  on  a  piece  of 
deep,  mucky  soil,  made  up  of  old  roots,  I'otten  leares, 
and  sich  things  as  go  to  make  up  a  soil  only  fit  to 
raise  toadstools,  ghost  .moccasins,  or  timber  so  spon^ 
gy  and  good  for  nothing,  no  one  can  tell  why  natur 
produces  it.  Well,  true  enough,  his  fire  had  burned 
right  down  four  feet  deep  into  the  ground,  through 
such  truck  as  that;^  and  I,  of  consekins,  must  either 
remove  the  shanty,  or  go  to  work  to  get  rid  of  the 
hole,  before  buildfing  my  fire,  if  I  expected  to  get 
any  heat  from  it ;  and  the  night  was  pison  cold;  I  tell 
ye.  So,  having  no  shovel  to  fill  up  the  pic  with 
airth,  and  ne'er  an  axe  to  fell  a  tree  across  it,  I  goes 
mousing  about,  in  the  dark,  after  old  lotten  stumps 
and  fallen  trunkst  whose  mossy  wrappings  keep  them 

Vol.  I.— F 


0» 


>*»"' 


qkbtslabh; 


damp  through  and  throuah  the  year  round,  and  sli* 
my  roots,  which,  if  they  nadn*t  snakes  under  them 
to  nibble  my  fingers  while  tearing  them  up  in  the 
dark,  yet  felt,  for  all  the  world,  like  raal  sarpents  in 
the  handling.  All  sich  like  truck  that  1  could  lay  my 
hands  upon,  I  managed,  with  pretty  hard  work,  to 
drag  together,  so  as  nearly  to  fill  up  the  hole,  and, 
placinff  my  dry  wood  upon  it,  I  lit  my  fire.         " 

"  Well,  after  eating  one  of  my  ducks,  I  dressed 
and  roasted  ther-t>ther,  so  as  to  have  him  ready  for 
my  breakfast  in  the  morning ;  and  then,  as  I  put  nay 
feet  to  the  fire  and  laid  myself  down  to  sleep,  I  felt 
right  comfortable.  I  slept  and  I  slept,  and  I  don't 
know  for  how  long,  but  it  must  have  been  a  pretty 
likely  nap,  howsomdever.  Long  enough  for  my  fire 
to  bum  so  low  as  to  get  pretty  deep  down  the  hole. 
But  the  first  thing  that  I  remember,  before  I  waked 
and  diskivered  that,  was  my  dreaming  of  being  cha- 
sed by  wild  Injuns,  who  came  whooping  and  yellinff 
after  me  as  if  crazy  to  get  my  scalp.  *  tlowh; 
'  howhi  *  howhf  the  sound  went  clean  aown  into  my 
ears ;  and,  waking  with  a  start,  I  saw  a  pair  of  bright 
black  eyes  glaring  at  me.  Had  I  used  my  own 
judgmatically,  I  might  have  diskivered  that  these 
belonged  to  a  great  antlered  buck  that  was  standing 
with  his  fore  feet  fairly  upon  the  ashes  of  my  fire, 
which  made  his  eyes  gleam  unnaterally  as  he  looked 
straight  into  mine.  But,  half  awake,  and  flurried  as 
I  was,  I  snatched  up  a  brand  and  flung  it,  with  all 
my  might,  into  his  face ;  and  then,  as  the  poor  brute 
scoured  off,  '  howht  *  howhf  *  howh*  a  pack  of  wojves 
came  ravening  on  his  track;  tramp,  tramp,  I  heard^ 
them,  nearer  and  nearer,  until,  fifty  in  number,  they 
dashed  furiously  by  my  fire,  making  the  bushes  fairly 
winkle  as  their  black  troop  swept  howling  on. 

"  Sarting,  capting  1  I  trembled  like  a  leaf  that 
time,  I  did,  until  the  opposite  mountain  threw  back 


■*«6f 


w 


0'' 


A  BOKANCB  OF  THB  MOHAWK. 


68 


the  last  shrieking  echo  from  its  side.  I  don't  think 
I  ever  knew  exactly  what  a  raal  scaring  was  afore 
that  night ;  but,  since  then,  I  always  keep  up  light 
enough  to  let  inquiring  varmint  see  that  it's  Bait 
the  hunter  who  is  sleeping  in  the  neighbourhood, 
with  Tender-Tavy  by  his  side.  What,  capting,  sno- 
ring already  1  Well,  if  my  story  has  put  the  lad  to 
sleep,  it  hasn't  been  wasted  to  no  purpose,  howsom- 
dever." 

And  with  these  last  muttered  words,  after  mend- 
ing his  "  smudge"  with  a  few  handfuls  of  fresh  moss, 
the  good-natured  hunter  lay  down,  and  was  soon 
dreaming  with  his  comrade. 


.  <  f 


m: 


^[ 


1     .■ 


t   :' 


Eli,  t' 


['•■',y 


m 


u 


OBBTtliABB 


■'■Jr 


I    I 


CHAPTER  VI. 


■  PRBPARATI0N8  FOR  A  FORAT* 


**  Fiercely  they  trim  their  crested  hair. 
Hie  tanguine  battle  ataint  prepare, 
And  martial  gear,  while  over  all 
Proad  waves  the  feathery  coronal. 

'  Their  peag  belts  are  girt  for  fight, 
Their  loaded  pouches  slung  aright, 
The  musket's  tube  is  brieht  ana  true. 
The  tomahawk  is  sharped  anew, 
And  counsels  stern  and  flashing  eyes 
Betoken  dangerous  enterprise." 


Yamotdbm. 


Lrt  us  now  return  to  the  wild-wood  scenery  of 
our  opening  chapter.  The  events  recorded  in  those 
which  have  followed  it,  were,  as  the  reader  will 
readily  imagine,  the  tidings  which  had  been  brought 
to  Thayendanagea  by  the  Indian  runner.  The  da- 
ring acts  of  the  Whics  had  equally  awakened  the 
indignation  and  the  alarm  of  the  royalist,  and  the 
message  from  Sir  John  declared  the  country  to  be 
in  a  state  of  actual  revolution,  and  called  upon  Brant, 
as  an  adherent  to  the  government,  to  move  at  once 
with  his.  power  to  its  support.  It  conveyed,  too, 
some  slignt  reproach  for  the  coolness  with  which 
he  had  hitherto  held  himself  aloof  from  the  troubles 
which  an  armed  force  might  have  awed  into  quiet ; 
and  hinted  that  the  best  service  that  the  chief  could 
now  render  to  approve  his  loyalty,  would  be  to  seize 
upon  some  prominent  disaffected  persons  of  the 
county,  and  hand  them  over  to  the  king's  magis- 
trates as  hostages  for  the  conduct  of  their  friends 


lMOTDIH. 


▲  ROMANCB  OV  THB  MOHAWK. 


u 


and  kindred.  The  heir  of  Hawksnest,  especially, 
was  mentioned  as  a  fierce  zealot  and  turbulent  young 
demagogue,  whom  it  was  well  to  remove  from  his 
present  sphere  of  mischief  as  soon  as  possible. 

The  task  thus  enjoined  upon  Brant  was  a  favour- 
ite proceeding  with  the  Tories  throughout  the  war  of 
the  Revolution,  and  was  often  but  too  successful  in 
its  results.    In  the  province  of  New- York,  hundreds 
were,  from  time  to  time,  suddenly  and  secretly  torn 
from  among  their  friends,  and  carried  away  to  cap- 
tivity or  death.     Nor  was  there  any  feature  of  the 
civil  war,  during  that  painful  seven  years'  struggle, 
more  appalling  than  this.     The  boldness  of  the  act — 
for  it  was  frequently  practised  in  the  most  populous 
districts,  in  an  armed  neighbourhood,  in  t!ie  very 
capital  of  the  province  itself— struck  dismay  into  the 
families  of  those  who  were  thus  abducted,  and  the 
cruel  doubt  and  mystery  which  shrouded  their  fato 
was  not  less  frightful ;  for  while  some,  with  shat- 
tered constitutions  and  spirits  broken  by  confine- 
ment, returned  from  the  prisons  of  Canada  after  the 
war  was  over,  yet  many  were  never  heard  of  by  th^ir 
friends  from  the  moment  of  their  disappearance,  and 
their  destiny  is  enigmatical  to  this  day.     Nor  was 
it  only  the  influential  partisan  or  his  active  adherent 
that  was  thus  subjected  to  this  hideous,  because  se- 
cret, danger.     The  hostages,  as  they  were  called — 
the  victims,  as  they  were  in  reality — were  taken, 
like  those  of  the  secret  tribunal  in  Germany,  from 
either  sex  and   from  any  class  of  society.     The 
homes  of  the  aged  and  innrm — of  the  young  and  the 
lovely,  were  alike  subject  to  the  terrible  visitation. 
The  gay  guest,  who  waved  a  blithe  adieu  to  the 
friends  who  were  but  now  planning  some  merry- 
meeting  for  the  morrow,  was  seen  to  mount  his 
horse  and  turn  some  angle  of  the  road  in*  safety, 
but  the  steed  and  his  rider  were  never  traced  after*> 

F2 


m 


I    ! 


■I 


lu 


i 


oebtslabb; 


!;'i 


'  1:1  i 


'I'^ihl'i 


ward.  The  hospitable,  festive  host,  who  left  the 
level  for  a  moment  to  cool  his  temples  in  the  even- 
ing air,  and  whose  careless  jest,  as  he  psssed  to  the 
porch  witliout,  still  rung  in  the  ears  of  his  impatient 
friends,  never  again  touched  with  his  lips  the  glass 
that  had  been  filled  foi  him  in  his  absence.  The 
waking  infant  cried  vainly  for  the  nursing  mother, 
who  had  left  it  to  be  watched  by  another  for  a  mo- 
ment. The  distracted  bridegroom  and  fierce  broth- 
er souffht  vainly  for  the  maid,  whose  bridal  toilet 
•eemed  just  to  have  been  completed,  when,  by  in- 
visible hands,  she  was  spirited  away  from  her  fa- 
ther's halls. 

'*  We  begin  our  career  of  arms  together  with  a 
painful  duty.  Captain  Brant,"  said  MacDonald» 
after  the  chief  had  expressed  his  determination  to 
move  instantly  upon  the  settlements  in  the  direction 
of  the  Hawksnest.  "1  think  I  have  heard  you 
•peak  of  having  been  upon  friendly  terms  with  the 
present  tenant  of  this  property,  who,  if  I  mistake  not, 
was  4>ne  of  your  nearest  neighbours  upon  the  river 
aide." 

**  I  mean  not  in  any  way  to  liarm  old  Mr.  de  Roos ; 
but  this  mettlesome  young  Greyslaer  must  be  re- 
moved»  or  he  will  only  qualify  his  neck  for  the  halter 
by  slirruig  up  more  treason.  I  shall  attempt  to  de- 
eoy  bim  from  the  house,  or,  failing  in  that,  will 
mrpiise  it  with  so  strons  a  party  as  to  make  resist- 
ance hopeless ;  and  we  shall  merely  ruffle  the  nerves 
ef  his  friends  a  little  in  seizing  the  springald,"  replied 
Brant,  coolly. 

'*  Are  there  no  females  in  the  family  ?"  asked  the 
European,  with  some  anxiety. 

'**  X  eo ;  there  are  two,  a  pair  of  sisters,  mated  in 
love  as  closely  as  the  kissing  blossoms  that  tuft  a 
lingle  twig  in  April ;  but  no  more  matched  in  char- 
acter than  is  the  oriole,  whose  lazy  nest  swings  from 


A   ROMAHOB   OF  TUB   MOHAWK. 


«7 


the  bough  beneath  him,  with  the  eagle,  whose  ma- 
jestic wing  is  circling  yonder  mountain.  Yet  the 
pale  girl,  whom  they  call  Tynlie,  is  a  fair  and  gen- 
tle lady,  and  her  kindness  has  been  owned  by  more 
than  one  woman  of  my  own  kindred.  But  Alida, 
that  queenly,  stag-eyed  Creature — surely,  captain, 
you  have  heard  of  the  beautiful  and  haughty  Alida 
de  Roos ;  she  for  whom  my  madcap  son  has  con- 
ceived so  strange  a  hatred .'^ 

"  Of  which  of  his  sons  speaks  the  noble  Thayen- 
danagea  ?*' 

"  Of  that  dark  and  dangerous  boy  whom  Brad- 
shawe  has  spoiled  by  encouraging  in  hia. wild  doings ; 
of  him  who  nearly  compromised  his  father's  honour 
and  a  chieftain's  name  by  consorting  with  the  ruf- 
fian Valtmeyer." 

*'  Yaltmeyer  ?  surely,  this  is  not  the  lady  whom 
Valtmeyer  wronged  so  deeply,  when  Bradshawe 
saved  his  neck  from  the  gallows  V* 

"  The  same." 

**  I  have  heard  the  story,"  said  the  Scotchman, 
musingly ;  "  I  have  heard  the  dreadful  tale.  Bu^ 
after  being  outraged  so  cruelly,  I  should  have  looked 
rather  for  her  resemblance  in  the  fragile,  fading  girl 
of  whom  you  first  spoke,  than  in  the  blooming  crea- 
ture you  describe  as  her  sister." 

*'  Miss  de  Roos  was  scarcely  more  than  a  child 
when  the  affair  happened.  Years  have  passed  since 
then.  Time  will  do  much  with  sorrow,  pride,  per- 
haps, more.  But,  if  you  had  ever  marked  the  bright 
and  glassy  glare  of  Alida's  eyes,  you  would  have 
thought  01  those  whom  we  Indians  believe  have  be- 
the  tabernacles  of  another  spirit  than  that* 


come 


which  first  possessed  the  body ;  and  such  a  spirit,  'tis 
said,  no  mortal  grief  can  overshadow." 

"  A  beautiful  superstition  to  assuage  the  horrors 
of  lunacy,  but  too  fanciful  for  truth.    I  have  heard, 


Vt- 


68 


0RBT8LAIR ; 


^!:i 


lilii 


indeed,  of  men  with  souls  so  haughty  that  they 
would  never  entertain  a  grief,  if  its  memory  were 
linked  with  shame  to  themselves  or  linease,  espe- 
cially if  the  consciousness  of  unmerited  obloquy  or 
the  keen  hope  of  ultimate  revenge  buoyed  up  their 
sanguine  nature.  But  v^ith  a  woman  of  blighted 
honour — " 

"You  may  hold  there,  MacDonald.  That  proud 
girl  could  never  be  made  to  believe  that  aught  of 
reproach  has  assailed  her  name ;  though  her  slim 
sister,  they  say,  faints  at  the  sound  of  Valtmeyer's 
name,  and.  has  pined  away  from  the  moment  the 
ruthless  villain  crossed  Alida's  path." 

"  Good  God  1  was  there  no  brother,  no  kinsman 
to  look  after  this  horrible  business  ?" 

"  Not  one  save  the  old  father,  who  lived  so  reti- 
red that  the  story  never  reached  his  ears  ;  for  Ali- 
da  was  off  on  a  visit  to  some  friends  in  a  distant 
settlement  when  the  abduction  took  place.  Her 
brother,  young  Derrick,  then  but  a  child,  was  with 
Greyslaer,  his  father's  ward,  at  school  at  Albany. 
And  he  has  turned  out  such  a  fiery  fellow  since  he 
came  to  man's  estate,  that  no  one  now  would  dare 
to  hint  the  matter  to  him." 

"And  had  the  family  not  one  friend  to  lift  an 
arm  in  such  a  quarrel  ?  and  yet  indeed  it  were  a 
delicate  business  to  meddle  with,"  said  MacDon- 
ald, doubtingly. 

"They  had  two,"  answered  Brant,  with  some 
hesitation ;  "  two  friends  to  whom  the  country  peo- 
ple looked  for  dragging  the  offender  to  justice. 
One  of  them,  Walter  Bradshawe,  who  was  said  to 
be  wooing  the  young  lady  at  the  time.  But  he 
never  moved  in  the  matter,  save  secretly,  to  use 
his  influence  in  Valtmeyer's  favour." 

"  The  base  mongrel !  And  what  said'men  of  such 
a  recreant?" 

"  His  conduct  was  known  but  to  few,  and  those 


n 


A  ROM ANOB  OV  TBB  MOHAWK. 


69 


iaid  it  sprung  from  a  mean  spirit  of  vengeance  for 
havine  been  rejected  by  the  lady.  But  this  may 
have  been  mere  calumny,  for  parties  were  running 
high  at  the  time ;  Bradshawe  was  never  popular, 
and  being  a  candidate  for  public  office,  his  charac- 
ter was  roughly  handled." 

"  You  have  said  the  De  Roos  family  4Nid. two 
friends  they  might  have  looked  to.  Had  the  Other 
one,  then,  no  influence  with  the  magistracy  of  the 
country  ?" 

"  He  had,"  said  Brant,  again  hesitating,  with 
tome  emotion,  before  he  made  his  reply ;  "  he  was 
connected  with  them  both  by  alliance,  by  political 
position,  and  by  official  station ;  and  were  not  the 
nonour  of  his  blood  involved  in  the  inouiry,  no  feel- 
ing of  paternal  tenderness  would  have  prevented 
htm  from  cutting  off  his  misbegotten  offiipring  with 
his  own  hand.  And  yet  the  Spirit  above  us  knows 
1  love  that  wayward  boy."  The  chieftain  leemed 
now  deeply  agitated  for  a  moment,  and  then  tim- 
ing suddenly,  so  as  to  fix  his  easle  glance  full  upon 
the  eye  of  his  companion,  he  added,  in  a  stern  and 
almost  fierce  tone,  "  I  have  answered  your  inqui- 
ries, sir,  from  no  mere  prating  spirit  that  feeds  an 
idle  curiosity.  You  have  formed  a  sudden  intima- 
cy with  Au-neh-yesh  ;  I  would  warn  you,  as  a  gal- 
lant soldier  of  the  king  and  a  friend  of  the  Mo- 
hawk, against  the  son  of  my  own  bosom.  But 
though  the  unnatural  boy  has  twice  attempted  his 
father's  life,  yet  one  whisper  that  attaches  infamy 
to  the  blood  of  Thayendanagea  will  bring  veng — ** 

"  Spare  the  threat,  noble  Sachem ;  yo  jr  secret  if 
ever  safe  with  me.  I  cannot  be  too  grateful  for  ths 
confidence  you  have  this  day  reposed  in  mo ;  }  9t 
I  cannot  think  there  is  anything  of  malignancy, 
much  less  of  meanness,  in  the  character  of  Isaac 
Brant,  or  Au-neh-yesh,  as  you  prefer  calling  him. 
God  forbid  that  I  should  attempt  to  palliate  his  un- 


it    k. 


70 


ORBTSLUBR  ; 


!  i' 


natural  conduct  towards  his  father.  But  phrensied 
as  are  the  passions  of  youth,  yet — " 

**  Enough  r  said  the  chief,  in  a  tone  so  ennphat- 
ic  as  at  once  to  cut  short  the  discussion ;  and  then 
striding  forward  impatiently,  as  if  to  get  beyond 
the  reach  of  a  reply  fronn  his  companion,  he  added, 
in  a  low  and  tremulous,  but  still  distinct  voice : 
"  The  friend  of  Thayendanagea  will  bury  this  sub- 
ject for  ever  in  his  own  bosom." 

A  few  moments  afterward  the  two  partisans 
reached  the  clearing  upon  the  Sacondaga,  where 
the  principal  warriors  of  Brant  had  taken  up  a  strong 
position  in  an  elbow  of  the  river,. fortifying  their 
camp  with  mounds  and  palisades  after  the  milita« 
ry  custom  of  the  Six  Nations. 

The  day  was  now  long  past  the  meridian,  and 
the  chieftain  lost  no  time  in  making  his  prepara- 
tions for  a  movement  upon  the  settlements  of  the 
"German  Flats"  on  the  morrow.  After  a  brief 
harangue  to  his  followers,  he  drew  out  a  select 
band  of  warriors,  his  son  Au-neh-yesh  being  one 
of  the  number,  for  the  proposed  expedition ;  and 
straightway  commenced  the  fantastic  pageant  inci- 
dent to  the  setting  out  of  a  war-party  at  the  com- 
mencement of  an  Indian  compaign ;  while  MacDon- 
ald,  surveying  the  spectacle  with  a  curious  eye,  was 
not  a  little  surprised  to  witness  the  almost  child- 
ish zeal  with  which  Thayendanagea  took  his  full 
part  in  the  savage  mummery.  A  strange  and  bom- 
bastic metamorphosis  seemed  to  have  come  over 
the  reasoning  companion  with  whom  he  had  hither- 
to been  acquainted ;  so  changed,  indeed,  did  the 
whole  man  seem  within  one  brief  hour,  that  the 
wondering  Scot  could  scarcely  recognise  in  him 
the  person  with  whom  he  had  lately  walked  con- 
Yersing. 

''This  Mohawk,"   said  MacDonald,  mentally, 


A  ROMANCE  OP  THE  MOHAWK. 


71 


"  with  all  his  talents  and  attainments,  can  never  be 
given  as  an  instance  of  the  capacity  of  his  race  for 
civilization.  The  man  seems  to  have  two  natures ; 
or,  rather,  the  artiificial  character,  produced  by  edu- 
cation, is  as  distinct  from  his  Indian  nature  as  if  it 
belonged  to  another  person.  And  if  they  do  ever 
mingle,  it  is  only  as  I  have  sometimes  seen  the 
blo(M[  of  a  European  veining,  without  suffusing,  the 
cheek  of  a  half-breed." 

This  opinion  of  the  shrewd  Scotchman  seems  to 
have  been  subsequently  borne  out  by  the  sineular 
incongruities  which  characterized  the  career  of  the 
remarkable  person  of  whom  it  was  pronounced ;  and 
the  historian  of  the  times  still  hesitates  in  what 
light  to  regard  him  who  is  described  by  many  of 
his  contemporaries  "  as  a  mere  cruel,  coarse-mind- 
ed savage,"  at  the  very  time  when  the  chief  enjoy- 
ed the  friendship  of  some  of  the  most  chivalric 
hearts,  and  could  boast  an  intimate  correspondence 
with  some  of  the  most  polished  minds  of  Europe. 

The  sun  had  got  low  in  the  heavens  by  the  time 
the  warriors  were  all  arrayed  for  battle,  and  the  im- 
portant task  of  putting  on  the  war-paint  concluded. 
His  level  beams  shot  through  the  tree-tops  on  the 
opposite  shore,  and  glancing  luridly  upon  the  broad 
stream  that  flowed  in  front  of  the  Iroquois  camp, 
lighted  up  a  grotesque  array  of  forms  and  faces, 
mirrored  m  every  variety  of  attitude  in  the  tranquil 
river. 

"  Good  !"  said  an  Indian,  who  had  just  completed 
his  barbaric  toilet,  and  still  lingered,  surveying  the 
result,  with  childish  gratification,  in  the  tide  that 
rolled  at  his  feet,  "  very  good ;  Squinandosh  is  a 
great  man.  The  Sacondaga  is  a  nappy  stream,  to 
reflect  a  face  so  terrible  as  his.  Go,  river,  and 
bear  his  image  in  thy  current  while  men  tremble 
along  thy  shorea  as  they  gee  it  float  by.    Go,  river, 


i'.; 


72 


ORBTSLASR 


l!:J': 


and  tell  the  great  lake  into  which  thou  pourest, 
that  thou  hast  seen  Squinandosh." 

"  Who  is  greater  than  Kan-au-gou  ?"  cried  an- 
other, rising  with  solemn  gravity  from  the  position 
in  which  he  had  crouched,  "  the  bravest  of  the  men 
who  surpass  all  others.  He  paints  not,  he,  to 
make  his  features  terrible,  but  to  hide  the  counte- 
nance, from  which,  iC  seen,  his  enemies  would  fly 
so  fast  his  bullets  would  never  overtake  them." 

"  Behold,  Au-neh-yesh  !  look  well  upon  the  tall 
one,"  said  a  third  warrior,  with  the  same  Homer- 
ic diffidence  of  self-praise.  "  It  is  the  blood  of 
fifty  white  warriors  that  sprinkles  his  forehead.  I 
hear  their  widows  and  children  howling  after  their 
scalps,  which  shall  dry  in  the  smoke  of  his  lodge  ; 
but  what  hand  shall  ever  reach  up  to  the  scalp  of 
him  who  walks  with  his  head  among  the  clouds  ?" 

One  youth,  more  sentimentally  given,  seemed  to 
regret  only  that  there  were  no  fair  ones  present  to 
yield  their  admiration  to  the  gallant  figure  that  he 
made  in  his  own  eyes.  Rejoicing  in  the  possession 
of  a  biiof  broken  looking-glass,  this  animated  per- 
sonage paused  ever  and  anon  to  elaborate  his  toi- 
let with  son>e  additional  grace,  as  he  strutted  about 
like  a  bantom  cock,  exclaiming  :  '*  Where  are  the 
maids  of  the  Mohawk,  who  love  to  look  upon  such 
a  man  as  *  Le-petit-soldat  ?*  Where  is  Tze-gwinda, 
the  fawn-eyed  girl  of  the  Unadilla,  and  she  whose 
feet  move  like  a  tripping  brook,  when  the  hawks- 
bells  tinkle  around  her  slender  ankles  in  the  dance, 
thd  laughing  Ivalette  ?  Where  Waneka,  of  the 
willowy  form,  and  *  Cherie,'  whose  eyes  outspark- 
\ed  those  of  Ononthio's  daughters  at  Montreal } 
Where  is  she  whose  footfalls  leave  no  print  behind 
them  on  the  greensward  or  snowdrift;  she  who 
steals  upon  men's  hearts  they  know  not  whence  or 
how,  where  is  *  The  Spreading  Dew  V    Let  each  of 


^ 


A  BOVANCB  OF  THB  MOHAWK. 


78 


fJ 


them  come,  look  upon  '  Le-petit-soldatt  and  sigh  to 
be  the  squaw  of  such  a  warrior." 

"  The  Little  Opossum  is  a  great  pain  .er/"  added 
yet  another  of  these  heroic  worthies ;  "  none  but  a 
medicine  can  find  out  his  secret  for  mixing  colours. 
Owaneyo  has  not  yet  breathed  in  the  nostrils  of  the 
man  that  is  meant  to  kill  him.  This  island  has  but 
one  such  warrior.  Who  but  '  The  Littl^  Opossum' 
can  kill  *  The  Little  Opossum  ?'  " 

As  the  night  closed  in  they  lighted  their  torches, 
formed  of  the  pitchy  knots  of  the  yellow  pine ;  and 
their  barbaric  boasting  grew  still  more  extravacant 
as  they  tossed  them  wildly  in  the  war-dance.  But 
here  the  demoniac  forms,  the  distorted  features,  and 
ferocious  gesticulations,  as  they  moved  in  savage 
measure  to  the  deep  roll  of  the  Indian  drum,  gave 
at  least  a  fiendish  dignity  to  the  scene  in  the  eyes  of 
the  European.  It  seemed  as  if  the  yawning  earth 
had  released  a  troop  of  demons  from  below  to  prac- 
tise for  a  while  their  mad  antics  in  the  upper  air ; 
and  the  Briton  shuddered  as  he  thought  of  such  a 
hellish  crew  being  let  loose  to  work  their  will  upon 
his  rebellious  countrymen. 

There  was  a  heavy  rain  during  the  night,  end 
many  of  these  gallantly-apparelled  warriors,  who 
slept  in  their  war-dresses,  looked  sadl]^  bedraggled, 
after  an  hour's  march  through  the  dripping  forest 
the  next  morning;  but  their  appearance  was  still 
sufficiently  formidable  to  awaken  the  admiration  of 
the  martial  Scotchman;  and  their  military  order, 
their  silence,  and  precision  of  movement,  in  obedi- 
ence to  each  command  of  their  leader,  when  they 
were  once  fairly  started  upon  the  war-path,  struck 
him  as  chasacterizing  a  race  who  were  soldiers,  both 
by  nature  and  education. 

But  among  no  martial  people  of  whom  history 
preserves  a  record  were  there  severer  disciplinari- 

VoL.  I.— G 


M 


^^■ 


n 


QRBYSLAMR  ; 


':   ' 


MS  than  amonff  Uiose  semi-civtlized  tribeii  which 
are  known  by  the  generic  name  of  the  Iroqiiois. ;  a 
item  and  stoical  people,  whose  peculiar  institutions 
and  Spartan-like  character-^for  their  discipline  ex- 
tended to  all  the  relations  of  life — have  been  so  ig- 
norantly  confounded  with  the  loose  custonas  of  the 
more  mercurial  races,  the  mere  barbaric  tribes  that 
are  still  scattered  over  the  northern  and  western 
parts  of  this  continent.  Many,  indeed,  have  de» 
oied  the  superiority  of  the  Six  Nations  over  other 
aboriginal  races,  and  questioned  the  degree  of  civil- 
isation which  they  had  reached,  because  it  was  not 
progressive;  because  the  era  of  the  Revolution 
found  them  with  the  same  social  habits  that  are  as^ 
cribed  to  them  by  the  earliest  writers  who  make 
mention  of  the  Iroquois.  But  if  that  anomalous  and 
remarkable  feature  of  the  respect  paid  to  women*^ 
among  them  were  wanting  to  confute  this  position, 
how,  it  might  be  asked,  how  can  that  nation  be 
progressive  in  civilization  which  makes  war  the  end 
of  {dl  its  efibrts  for  improvement,  instead  of  keeping 
prepared  for  it  merely  as  the  means  of  preserving 
the  blessings  of  peace  ?  which  encourages  a^^ 
culture,  and  builds  granaries,  only  for  the  supply  of 
armies,  and  explores  the  navigable  waters  of  a  vast 
continent,  not  for  the  purposes  of  trade,  but  to  secure 
the  transportation  of  those  munitions  which  may  en- 
able its  forces  to  keep  the  field  through  a  succession 
of  campaigns  ?  Yet  such  was  the  policy  which  en- 
abled the  Six  Nations  to  carry  their  conquering 
arms  through  every  region  that  is  now  comprehend- 
ed in  this  wide-spread  Union;  and  which  made 
them  formidable,  not  only  to  the  wild  tribes  far 
west  of  the  Mississippi,  but  to  the  Frenchman  of 

*  The  written  treaties  of  the  Five  Nations,  preserved  ^ai^ng 
the  government  archives,  always  open  with,  **  We,  the  Sachems 
and  principal  women  of  the  Five  Nations,"  dw. 


which 
«iois,;  a 
titutions 
>Iine  ex- 
n  so  ig« 
s  of  the 
368  that 
western 
ave  de<« 
er  other 
of  civil- 
waa  not 
volution 
are  as^ 

0  make 
ous  and 
women* 
position, 
ition  be 
the  end 
keeping 
^serving 
»  agri^ 
ipply  of 
4  a  vast 
}  secure 
may  en- 
;cession 
lich  en- 
quering 
rehend- 

1  noade 
bes  far 
man  of 

Sachems 


▲  ftOMAirCI  OF  THE  MOHAWK.  99 

the  St.  Lawrence,  the  Englishman  of  the  Chesa^ 
peake,  and  th«  Spaniard  of  Mexico. 

The  Scottish  soldier  listened  with  thrilling  inter- 
est to  the  wild  and  warlike  tales  of  distant  forays 
as  Thayendanagea  beguiled  the  march  by  dwellrnl^ 
upon  the  former  glories  of  his  people.  Their  reli^ 
gion  and  laws  were  frequently  the  subject  of  his  in- 
quiries ;  and,  strange  and  uncouth  as  many  of  their 
observances  appeared  to  him,  he  had  travelled  too 
widely  over  the  earth  to  judge  peculiar  usages  by 
the  narrow  standard  of  his  own  national  customs. 
The  partisans  talked  next  of  the  civil  war,  whose 
outbreak,  so  long  threatening,  seemed  now  at  hand ; 
and  the  sagacious  and  comprehensive  views  of  the 
chieftain  were  not  thrown  away  upon  his  experien- 
ced companion,  though  more  than  once  a  strange 
discord  was  struck  in  the  bosom  of  the  latter  by  the 
ferocious  sentiments  that  gleamed  through  the  pol- 
ished language  of  his  Indian  comrade. 

MacDonald,  though  a  soldier  of  fortune,  had  nev- 
er been  engaged  in  quite  so  disagreeable  a  business 
before.  For,  though  upon  the  same  side  with  a  ma- 
jority of  his  Catholic  countrymen,  yet  there  were 
great  numbers  of  Cameronian  Scotch  acting  with 
the  Whigs ;  and,  Jacobite  as  he  was,  he  felt  that 
there  was  a  difiference  between  battling  with  an  op- 
posite facti€»^  at  Culloden  and  cutting  the  throats  of 
countrymen  who,  like  himself,  had  come  to  find  a 
peaceful  home  in  a  strange  land.  This  not  unnat- 
ural feeling  of  compunction  was  brought  out  more 
strongly  by  a  fierce  reply  which  Brant  made  to 
some  observation  of  his  about  the  relations  of  friend- 
ship in  which  the  chieftain  had  recently  stood  to- 
wards those  with  whom  he  must  now  come  in  im- 
mediate collision. 

"  And  what,**  said  the  Mohawk,  "  what  are  pri- 
Tate  ties  in  times  like  these»  when  those  of  nations 


i     •  %# 


r^vmu 


7« 


0KBT8LABK 


are  so  rudely  severed  ?  Do  you  expect  an  IndiaM 
to  play  the  woman,  when  you  white  men  have  for- 
gotten all  the  claims  of  blood  and  kindred  in  this 
strange  quarrel  with  each  other  ?  If  the  wolf  devour 
his  own  whelps,  why  should  the  panther  spare  them, 
inerel3r  because  they  are  tenants  of  the  same  forest 
with  himself?" 

But  the  night  has  again  closed  in  around  us,  and 
the  prowling  Indian  has  reachefl  the  fold  he  would 
plunder. 


A  SOMAirCB  or  VR8   HOHAWX. 


n 


I' I 


CHAPTER  VII. 

THE    RIFLING   OF   THE    HAWK8N1ST. 

**  A  crash !    They've  forced  the  door,  and  then 
One  long,  long  shrill  and  piercing  scream 
Conies  thrilliiur  through  the  growl  of  men. 
'Tis  hers !" 

The  Farmer's  Homestead,  from  which  the  estate 
of  Greyslaer  took  its  name,  lay  upon  the  banks  of 
the  Mohawk,  immediately  at  the  mouth  of  one  of 
those  wooded  gorges  through  which  the  tributaries 
of  the  river  descend  from  the  mountains  of  Mont-^ 
gomery  to  unite  with  the  parent  stream.  The 
broad,  low-eaved  mansion  reposed  in  a  rich  alluvial 
meadow,  amid  a  clump  of  weeping  elms ;  the  lux- 
uriancy  of  whose  foliage  betrayed  the  neighbour- 
hood of  the  brook  that  watered  their  roots ;  and 
which,  descending  impatiently  amid  the  copses  of 
hazel  and  wild  cherry,  from  the  upland  in  the  rear 
of  the  house,  glided  slowly  and  noiselessly  through 
the  green  pastures,  as  if  unwilling  at  the  last  ti> 
merge  its  cuncent  into  the  broader  stream  beyond^ 

**  Here,"  said  Thayendagea  to  his  European 
friend,  when,  having  stationed  his  band  in  the  under- 
wood that  lined  the  sides  of  the  gorge,  he<began  to 
move  cautiously  toward  the  house,  accompanied 
only  by  MacDonald ;  **  here  is  the  Hawksnest  of 
which  I  have  spoken,  and  within  an  hour  W6  will 
clip  the  wings  of  the  wildest  of  the  falcon  brood.** 

The  two  royalists  now  approached  the  house  with 
the  most  stealthy  caution,  and  by  glancing  from  one 

G2 


78 


ORBTSLABB  ; 


m    '<■ . 


outbuilding  to  another,  keeping  always  within~ their 
•hadow,  they  at  last  attained  a  position  in  which, 
•creened  behind  a  treliice  covered  by  gourds  and 
hop-vines,  that  sheltered  the  cottage-like  porch,  they 
could  easily  look  into  the  low  windows  of  the  man- 
■ion. 

The  scene  thus  witnessed  brought  so  vividly  to 
mind  the  recollections  of  his  early  home,  that  the 
British  officer  again  shrunk  from  the  stern  task  in 
which  he  had  consented  to  share.  The  window 
opened  into  a  large  room  wainscoted  with  black 
walnut,  whose  dusky  panels  were  relieved  here 
and  there  by  the  glrmmer  of  a  brass-mounted  press, 
or  an  antique  beaufet  with  its  attendant  service  of 
painted  china,  and  other  furniture  of  European  man- 
ufacture, which  had  probably  been  brought  from 
his  fathefland  by  the  first  owner  of  the  dwelling. 
There  was  no  carpet  upon  the  floor  of  the  apart- 
ment, which  seemed  to  be  a  sort  of  hall,  or  com- 
mon sitting-room  of  the  family,  and  a  large  ducking- 
gun  supported  upon  a  magnificent  pair  of  antlers 
over  the  fireplace,  with  other  appointments  and 
trophies  of  the  chase,  indicated  the  predominant 
tastes  of  its  customary  male  occupants. 

But  there  were  traces  also  of  the  presence  of  woman 
in  this  rural  hovaehold,  in  the  framed  needle-work 
that  adorned  the  walls,  the  vase  of  freshly-gathered 
flowers  upon  the  mantelpiece,  and,  above  ail,  in  the 
general  air  of  jieatness  that  pervaded  its  simple  ar- 
rangements. Nor  did  MacDonald  long  doubt  to 
whom  these  alight  but  indubitable  evidences  of  femi- 
nine taste  were  owing,  when  he  gazed  upon  the  occu- 
pants of  the  apartment.  These  were  an  aged  man 
and  his  two  aaughters.  A  white-haired  patriarch, 
who  sat  a  little  aloof  from  the  table,  at  which  a  slight- 
made,  invalid-looking  girl  was  seated,  reading  aloud, 
while  the  other,  a  dark-eyed,  luxuriant  beauiy»  stood 


A  ROMAKOB  or  TBI  MOBAWK. 


79 


reeling  some  coloured  worsted  from  the  back  of  a 
chair.  The  glow  of  health,  the  purple  light  of  youth, 
the  pride  of  rich,  resistless  womanhood,  seemed  all 
mantling  in  the  cheek  and  animating  the  person  of 
the  latter ;  and  when  the  European  gazed  upon  her 
haughty,  intellectual  brow,  her  mouth,  whose  ripe 
and  melting  softness  was  still  redeemed  from  all 
weakness  of  expression  by  something  wayward 
and  aspiring  even  in  its  smiles;  when  glancing 
from  her  white  and  exquisitely  turned  shoulders, 
just  touched  by  the  light  which  polished  her  velvet 
bodice,  he  looked  to  tne  noble  contour  of  her  per- 
son, brouflht  out  as  it  was  by  the  position  in  which 
she  stood,  with  one  fairy  foot  upraised  upon  the 
lower  rung  of  the  chair  before  her,  the  portrait  of 
more  than  one  proud  dame  of  princely  courts  rose 
freshly  radiant  to  his  view ;  while  the  palOj  passion- 
less-looking girl,  upon  whom  the  old  father  gazed 
with  eyes  of  such  affectionate  interest,  seemed  the 
far  fitter  tenant  of  an  abode  so  obscure. 

"  It  is,  indeed,  a  cruel  duty.  Sachem,  to  disturb 
such  a  home  as  that,"  he  whispered  to  his  companion. 

"  Yes,  but  still  it  is  a  duty,"  muttered  the  Indian, 
sternly. 

"  And  yet  not  necessarily  ours  to-night ;  the 
young  man  whom  you  seek  is  evidently  not  at 
home ;  for  see,  now,  the  tall  girl  has  laid  aside  her 
work;  they  are  preparing  for  family  prayers,  yet 
Greyslaer  is  still  absent." 

**  Speak  lower,"  said  Brant,  in  a  suppressed  tone, 
which  sounded  like  the  hissing  of  a  serpent  in  the 
ear  of  the  other ;  "  that  tall  girl  could  wield  the  souls 
of  a  hundred  rebels  with  her  eyes !  She  must  be 
placed  out  of  the  way  till  these  fanatic  boys  of 
the  same  traitorous  household  recover  their  senses. 
Nay!  murmur  not  at  this  decision  ;  a  hair  of  her 
head  shall  not  be  injured.    But,  hist,  what  noise  ia 


m 


i0 


M 


OSBtSfcABK  ; 


h.'  ,' 


that  V*  he  added,  turning  round  as  he  retired  a  few 
paces  from  the  trellice,  which  interposed  its  leafy 
curtain  between  him  and  the  window. 

**  It  is  only  some  of  your  followers ;  you  told  them 
to  approach  for  the  seizure,  the  moment  that  the  ri- 
sing moon  should  cast  her  first  beam  above  yon 
clumn  of  maples." 

"  Yes,  but  she  yet  lacks  a  hand's  breadth  of  gain- 
ing the  top  of  the  sugar-bush,  and  that  tramp  is 
never  made  by  an  Indian  moccasin." 

As  the  chieitain  spoke,  the  sharp  crack  of  a  rifle, 
followed  instantly  by  the  wild  whoop  of  Indian  war- 
fare, rang  out  on  the  night  air,  while  a  young  war- 
rior, whose  approach  had  been  hitherto  unobserved 
by  Thayendanagea  himself,  stood  suddenly  before 
them. 

"  A  party  of  Corlaer's  fighting  men  !  but  we  out- 
number them.  Our  warriors  sent  me  to  ask  leave 
to  fight,  but  the  foe  has  stirred  their  covert  before 
the  message  could  reach  my  father." 

"  And  where  was  Au-neh-yesh,  not  to  know  of 
their  approach  ?"  fiercely  asked  the  chief  of  his  son, 
in  their  own  language. 

"  Au-neh-yesh  watched  upon  the  hills  above  the 
waterfall ;  Kan-au-gou  in  the  fields  below.  The 
sons  of  Corlaercanie  up  the  bed  of  the  running  wa- 
ter, and  Kan-au-gou  must  have  mistaken  the  plash- 
ing of  footsteps  on  one  side  for  the  ripple  of  waters 
on  the  other." 

"  It  is  well ;  let  our  people  stand  fast  till  they 
hear  my  signal  from  the  hill  behind  them,  and  then 
disperse  as  best  they  may." 

The  chieftain  spoke,  and  Au-neh-yesh  disap- 
peared on  the  instant.  "And  now,  Captain  Mac- 
Donald,"  said  Brant,  "  we  have  not  a  moment  to  lose 
in  securing  our  captive,  while  my  youn^  men  keep 
the  rebels  at  bay.    Nay,  I  ^jledge  myself  to  the  girlli 


tP^ 


▲  ROMANCB  OV  TBB  MOHAWK. 


81 


safety/*  he  added,  with  a  jesture  of  impatience,  ob< 
aerving  still  symptoms  of  reluctance  in  his  coad- 
jutor. 

But  the  feat,  so  often  afterward,  during  the  war, 
accomplished  by  Brant  with  such  consummate  ad- 
dress, was  fated,  in  the  present  instance,  to  a  more 
serious  result  than  could  have  been  anticipated. 

Of  the  different  parties  of  Whigs,  who,  according 
to  previous  concert,  were  to  rendezvous  at  the 
Hawksnest  this  evening,  that  of  Greyslaer  was  the 
only  one  which,  for  reasons  that  will  be  hereaf- 
ter mentioned,  moved  to  the  proposed  conference. 
It  was  well  that  the  band  was  better  armed  and  bet- 
ter ordered  than  were  most  yeomanry  corps  at  the 
commencement  of  our  civil  struggle,  and  that  they 
were  commanded  by  one  who,  on  this  night,  gave 
as  signal  proofs  of  his  quickness  of  resource  and 
ability  as  a  partisan  soldier,  as  he  had  formerly 
shown  evidence  of  high  moral  courage  upon  the  oc- 
casions we  have  already  noticed.  The  twenty-four 
hours  which  had  elapsed  since  his  deliverance  from 
the  myrmidons  of  Sir  John  Johnson,  Greyslaer  knew 
afforded  sufficient  time  for  that  vigilant  loyalist  to 
obtain  information  of  the  proceedings  of  the  patriot 
party,  and  to  adopt  measures  to  prevent  the  pro- 
posed meeting.  This,  in  the  excited  state  of  pop- 
ular feelinc,  could  scarcely  be  effected  by  an  open 
exercise  ofhis  authority  as  a  magistrate.  A  stroke 
of  address  in  seizing  the  rebel  ringleaders,  or  the 
cutting  off  the  different  parties  in  detail,  by  way- 
laying them  on  their  approach  to  the  rendezvous, 
seemed  the  only  movement  that  could  serve  his  pur> 

{)ose.     Fearful,  therefore,  of  an  ambuscade,  Grey»- 
aer  had  exercised  the  greatest  caution  in  approacb- 
inff  the  scene  of  danger. 

Marching  warily  along  the  banks  of  the  river,  un* 
lil  he  came  within  half  a  mile  of  his  destination,  he 


r  I 


8d 


QUMtKLkmrn. } 


y.    \ 


*  ,;i 


had  turned  aside  upon  reaching  the  mouth  of  the 
tributary  before  nnentioned ;  and,  making  the  bed  of 
the  smaller  stream  his  highway,  had  struck  inland 
towards  the  hill,  so  as,  by  a  serpentine  course,  to 
approach  the  house  from  the  rear.  These  precau- 
tions, however,  would  only  have  served  to  tlnrow 
him  into  the  midst  of  Brant's  party,  which,  intent 
upon  the  operation  which  had  brought  their  chief  to 
the  spot,  lay  concealed  upon  the  banks  of  the  brook 
where  it  first  descended  to  the  lowlands,  if  the  mil- 
itary foresight  of  the  young  partisan  had  not  added 
another  safeguard  to  his  march  by  throwing  out  a 
picket  upon  either  side  of  the  stream. 

The  worthy  Bah,  who  chanced  to  be  one  of  the 
two  persons  detailed  upon  this  duty,  used  always  to 
quote  hit  deeds  of  this  night  in  illustration  of  a  fa- 
vourite assertion  of  his,  that  a  true  woodsman  always 
knew,  by  instinct,  when  an  Indian  was  within  fifty 
yards  of  him.  Certain  it  is,  that  he  had  not  pro- 
ceeded in  advance  of  his  comrades  a  hundred  yards 
up  the  stream,  when  a  faint  whistle,  like  that  of  a 
woodcock  settlinff  in  a  cornfield  when  a  summer 
shower  has  lured  him  from  his  favourite  morass, 
caused  an  instant  halt  of  his  party.  The  call  was 
answered  by  an  Indian,  who,  risinff  slowly  from  a 
brake,  showed  his  shaven  crown,  for  a  moment,  in 
the  moonlight,  and  then  slunk  back  to  his  cover,  as 
if  having,  for  the  instant,  mistaken  the  cali  of  a  real 
bird  for  the  signal  of  some  comrade  come  to  relieve 
him  at  his  post. 

Some  three  minutes  were  now  passed  by  Greys- 
laer's  party  in  breathless  attention  for  another  sig- 
nal. These  were  so  skilfully  employed  by  the 
woodsman  in  gliding  towards  his  foe,  that  they 
measured  the  mortal  existence  of  the  unhappy  In- 
dian. A  short  and  desperate  struggle,  a  smothered 
cry,  and  the  crashing  of  branches,  aa  a  heavy  body 


▲  ROMAlfCa  OV  TBS  MOBAWK. 


88 


rolled  throuffh  the  thicket  into  the  water,  finished 
the  career  of  the  warrior  Kan-au-gou. 

"  Thank  your  start,  boys,  that  your  lives  are  not 
trusted  to  such  a  stupid  lout  as  that,"  whispered 
Bait,  joining  his  party  the  next  instant.  "  Capting, 
that  chap  was  painted  for  a  war-party,  and  you  may 
depend  there  is  more  vermilion  in  the  neighbour- 
hood.  The  red  devils  must  be  beyond  the  rifts 
upon  the  hill  above  us ;  God  knows  how  many  of 
'em ;  but  the  best  thing  we  can  do  is  to  change  our 
course,  and  strike  straight  through  the  fields  to  the 
homestead,  where  we  can  stand  a  siege,  if  the  worst 
come  to  the  worst." 

Greyslaer  nodded  approval,  and  instantly  gave  the 
necessary  order;  while  his  men  silently  deployed 
from  the  bed  of  the  stream,  and  ascended  the  bank, 
preparatory  to  making  a  swift  movement  across  the 
meadows  to  the  house.  Two  fields,  separated  by  n 
high  rail-fence,  laid  "  worm-fashion,**  intervened  be- 
tween them  apd  the  homestead,  and  it  was  the  sound 
of  their  feet,  in  running  across  the  first  field,  which 
caught  the  quick  ear  of  Thayendanagea,  and  in  ihe 
same  moment  alarmed  his  ambqshed  followers. 
Au-neh-yesh,  by  the  order  of  one  of  the  chiefs,  had 
bounded  off,  on  the  instant,  to  communicate  with  the 
Sachem,  and  had  nearly  reached  the  house,  when, 
casting  his  eyes  behind,  hun,  he  beheld  Greyslaer** 
party  in  the  act  of  surmounting  the  diviiion'fence 
we  have  mentioned.  Without  waiting  tc  select  his 
man,  he  instantly  fired  upon  them,  and  *h:i  shot  pro- 
duced at  once  the  effect  intended  by  the  k^en-witted 
savage.  The  whites,  finding  themselves  thus  at- 
tacked in  the  direction  of  the  house,  deemed  that  it 
was  already  in  possession  of  the  enemy.  They  fal* 
tered  in  their  advance,  and  then,  as  a  tumultuous 
yell  burst  from  the  thickets  on  their  flank,  they 
fjonned  in  the  angles  of  the  serpentine  fence,  as  the 


:(.:■■< 


84 


OftBTSLABA } 


n 


nearest  coyer  at  hand,  and  poured  their  fire  upon  the 
advancing  foe.  The  Mohawks  recoiled  on  the  in- 
stant, and  both  parties  lay  now  protected  by  their 
cover>  with  a  broad  strip  of  moonlit  meadow  be- 
tween them,  into  which  both  were  afraid  to  venture, 
contenting  themselves  with  keeping  up  a  dropping 
fire  upon  each  other,  as  the  gleam  of  weapons  be- 
trayed here  and  there  an  object  to  aim  at. 

The  situation  of  Greyslaer's  party  seemed  now 

?recarious  in  the  extreme. 
**  The  Redskins  are  surrounding  us,  captain,"  said 
one  of  the  brave  but  undisciplined  yeomanry.  "  We 
had  better  back  out  bv  crawling,  in  the  shadow  of 
the  fence,  to  the  bushes  on  the  river- side  in  our 
rear." 

'•  **  Rayther,"  said  another,  "  let  us  go  ahead,  and 
make  a  clean  thing  of  it,  by  charging  through  the 
varmint  in  front,  and  gain  the  heavy  timber  in  their 
rear." 

"Now  my  say  is, boys,"  quoth  Bait,  '*just  to  do 
neither  one  nor  t'other." 

"  What,  then,  do  you  counsel.  Bait  ?  for  we  can- 
not long  maintain  ourselves  where  we  lie,  if  the  In- 
dians are  in  any  strength,"  said  Greyslaer. 

*'  Why,  the  bizness  is  a  bad  one,  anyhow  you  can 
fix  it,  capting ;  but  I  think  I  understand  the  caper 
dn't.  Don*t  you  see — sarve  you  ri^ht.  Bill ;  I  told 
you  they'd  spile  that  hat  afore  the  night  was  over,  if 
you  would  pop  up  your  head  above  the  rider  instead 
of  firing  atween  the  rails — don't  you  see  that  we've 
only  had  one  shot  from  the  house,  while  the  old 
fence  is  already  pretty  well  riddled  from  the  hillside  ? 
Well-— elevate  a  little  lower,  Adam,  if  it's  that 
skulking  fellow  by  the  big  elm  you're  trying  for— 
well,  then,  as  I  was  saying,  it's  pretty  easy  to  j^ess 
where  the  strength  of  the  redskins  must  lie ;  and  I 
don^t  see  that  we  can  do  better  than  streak  it  right 


'# 


«■       : ':'  4 


A  KOMAirCI  OF  THB  MOHAWK. 


86 


ahead  for  the  house,  and  trust  to  legs  and  luck  for 
getting  safe  into  it." 

The  suggestion  was  too  much  in  accordance  with 
Greyslaer^s  feelings  not  to  be  eagerly  caught  at  by 
him.  Indeed,  so  overpowering  was  his  anxiety  for 
the  beloyed  inmates  of  the  mansion,  that  nothing  but 
considerations  of  duty  toward  the  party  who  had 
trusted  themselves  to  his  guidance,  had  hitherto 
prevented  him  from  dashing  forward  to  his  destina- 
tion at  all  hazards.  But  if  he  had  still  hesitated  as 
to  the  course  to  adopt  in  the  present  exigency,  all 
doubt  as  to  his  movements  was  at  once  dispelled  in 
the  moment  that  Bait  finished  speaking. 

A  sound  of  terror,  the  shriek  of  woman  in  dia* 
tress,  with  the  hoarse  cry  of  age  imploring  mercy 
and  assistance,  rose  suddenly  from  the  dwelling, 
chilling  the  blood  of  some,  and  making  the  pulses 
of  others  leap  with  mad  and  vengeful  impatience. 
And  it  was  then  that,  burstine  simultaneously  from 
their  cover,  the  red  man  and  the  white  could  be 
seen  urging  their  way  with  rival  fleetness  towards 
the  same  goal,  for  the  moment  apparently  regardless 
of  each  other's  neighbourhood ;  pausing  not  to  strike 
down  a  competitor  in  the  race,  but  striving  only  who 
first  could  reach  the  bourne.  The  one  tnirsting  to 
share  in  the  massacre  that  seemed  in  the  act  of  per- 
petration ;  the  other  burning  with  fierce  impatience 
to  arrest  or  avenge  the  butchery  of  his  friends. 

A  light  and  agile  youth,  a  fair-haired  boy  of  six- 
teen, was  the  first  that  gained  the  door  of  the  man- 
sion; but  even  as  he  planted  his  foot  upon  the 
threshold,  his  head  was  cloven  asunder  by  an  In- 
dian tomahawk,  and,  with  limbs  quivering  m  death, 
his  body  rolled  down  the  steps,  while  the  exulting 
savage  who  dealt  the  blow  leaped  over  it  brandish- 
ing his  fatal  weapon.  But  his  triumph  was  short. 
Greyslaer  war'  dose  upon  him,  and,  as  he  strained 

Vol.  I.— H 


in  , 


omsTSLAsm } 


1,1 


every  nerve  in  rushing  forward,  he  came  with  hi» 
drawn  rapier  so  impetuously  upon  the  Ihdian,  that 
tlie  point  was  driven  through  his  back  deep  into  the 
panel  of  the  door,  which  burst  open  from  the  shock* 

Leaving  his  friends  for  the  moment  to  make  good 
their  entrance  as  best  they  could,  by  opposing  their 
hunting-knives  and  clubbed  rifles  to  the  tomahawks 
and  maces  of  the  Indians,  who  instantly  mingled 
with  them  in  wild  melee  around  the  porch^  Greys- 
laer  rushed  forward  to  the  sitting-room  of  the  family. 
He  shrunk  aghast  at  the  sight  of  horror  which  told 
him  that  he  had  come  too  late.  The  master  of  the 
house  lay  stunned  and  senseless  upon  th^^  floor. 
Alida,  the  beautiful  Alida,  had  disappeared ;  but  her 
fair-haired  sister  lay  weltering  in  her  blood,  while  a 
gash  across  her  forehead,  with  the  tangled  locks 
drawn  backward  from  her  brow  and  the  print  of 
gory  fingers  fresh  upon  the  golden  tissue,  called 
Greyslaer's  eye  to  a  savage,  who  shook  his  scalping- 
knife  at  him  with  a  hideous  grin  of  disappointed 
malice  as  he  sprang  through  the  open  window. 
But  there  was  no  time  now  for  grief  to  have  its 
way.  The  din  of  the  conflict  still  rose  fresh  behind 
him,  and  Greyslaer  turned  to  the  succour  of  his 
friends  whom  it  might  avail. 

"  Powder,  ppwder,  capting !"  shouted  Bait,  who 
this  moment  presented  himself.  *' There's  a  big 
redskin  keeping  three  of  our  men  at  bay  with  his 
tomahawk ;  I  must  use  him  up  at  once,  to  give  the 
rest  an  opportunity  of  making  a  rush  from  the  out- 
house; our  best  men  are  still  outside.  Bedlow 
and  Boonhoven  are  both  down ;  but  big  Hans,  the 
miller,  yet  holds  the  door  stoutly,  and  Bill  Stacey 
has  gone  up  with  his  axe  to  drop  the  gutter  from 
the  eaves  upon  the  redskins  that  are  hammeriiig  at 
the  wini^ows.  Ah !  There's  the  tool  for  my  purpose," 
he  added,  seizing  the  ducking  gun  from  the  chimney. 


m^ 


A  BOMAIfCB  OF   THB   MOHAWK. 


•r 


and  throwing  down  his  half-loaded  rifle;  while 
Greyslaer  had,  in  the  mean  time,  secured  the  window 
through  which  the  ferocious  Au-neh-yesh  had  a  mo- 
ment before  made  his  entrance  and  escape. 

Greyslaer  now  rushed  to  support  the  man  who 
was  holding  the  door  against  odds  so  stoutly  ;  while 
Bait  ascended  the  staircase,  freshly  priming  the 
ducking  gun,  and  adding  a  handful  of  buckshot  to 
the  already  heavily  charged  piece  as  he  went.  He 
gained  a  window  in  the  same  moment  that  Greys- 
laer, sallying  out  from  the  house  sword  in  hand, 
cut  down  the  sturdy  warrior  for  whom  Bait  had 
prepared  his  charge.  A  dozen  Mohawks  instantly 
rushed  forward  to  avenge  the  fall  of  their  comrade. 
But  the  heavy  piece  of  Bait  did  good  service  in  the 
moment,  or  Greyslaer's  career  would  have  been  cut 
shoit  for  ever.  A  shower  of  buckshot  drove  them 
quickly  to  regain  their  cover. 

"  Now,  boys,"  shouted  the  woodsman,  "  make  a 
rush  for  the  house,  while  the  red  devils  digest  that 
peppering." 

The  handful  of  outlying  whites  did  not  wait  for 
the  invitation  to  be  repeated,  but  rushed  pellmell, 
within  the  porch  so  furiously  as  to  bear  down  each 
other  in  the  hall,  while  the  sturdv  miller  made  a 
liberal  use  of  his  foot  in  pushing  aside  their  bodies 
while  shutting  the  heavy  oaken  door. 

Furious  at  being  thus  foiled,  the  brave  Mohawks 
made  a  simultaneous  rush  towards  the  entrance, 
when,  at  that  instant,  the  rude  and  ponderous  gutter, 
loosened  from  the  eaves,  descenaed  with  a  crash 
upon  their  heads ;  and,  with  a  wild  howl  of  grief 
and  dismay,  the  survivers  of  their  parly  drew  off 
their  wounded  and  disabled  comrades,  and  left  the 
stout  yeomen  masters  of  the  field. 


bm 


'  u 


:a''^ 


88 


OBBTSLABB  ; 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

THE   RUINED   HOMESTEAD. 

**The  father  gazed  in  anguish  wild, 
He  pressed  the  bosom  of  his  child : 
There  beat  no  pulse  of  life." 

YAMOTDBIf. 

'  The  human  heart  has  no  more  bitter  grief  than 
that  which  springs  from  the  recollection  of  unkind- 
ness  toward  those  who,  loving  us  when  living,  are 
now,  by  the  barriers  of  the  grave,  placed  for  ever  be- 
yond the  reach  of  our  remorseful  recollection. 
But  love — whether  it  be  the  love  of  kindred,  or  the 
wilder,  warmer  passion,  that  more  generally  bears 
that  name — is  ever  humble  and  self-chiding  when 
absent  from  its  object.  The  heart  then  forgetti  ih« 
frailties  that  may  at  times  have  shaken  its  esteem ; 
it  softens  in  degree  the  faults  which  have  so  se- 
verely tried  its  regard,  that  it  cannot  but  remember 
them ;  it  pardons  every  offending  quality,  that  may 
often  have  tasked  its  forbearance,  and  threatened 
even  the  continuance  of  its  tenderness ;  it  imputes 
to  itself  all  the  blame  that  it  has  ever  attached  to  the 
beloved  object ;  and  finds  an  excuse  for  each  caprice 
of  the  one  who  may  have  trifled  with  it,  in  its  own 
unworthiness,  to  inspire  true  affection. 

It  was  not  unnatural,  therefore,  that  the  young 
Greyslaer,  when  he  surveyed  the  desolation  that 
had  come  over  the  home  of  Alida,  and  thought  of 
her  as  torn  from  that  home,  a  captive,  dependant 
upon  the  mercies  of  the  half-civilized  Mohawk — it 
was  not  unnatural  that,  while  every  humane  and 


'W- 


Ik 


A  ROMANCB   OF  THB  MOHAWK. 


generous  impulse  of  his  heart  should  be  called  into 
action,  the  nnore  subtile  emotions  of  latent  tenderness 
should  also  quicken  afresh  in  his  bosom. 

"  She  loved  me  not,  she  never  would  have  loved 
me/'  said  the  youth,  mournfully  ;  "  yet,  God  knows, 
I  would  have  laid  down  my  life  for  her.  Yes, 
coldly  as  she  received  me  the  last  time  I  crossed 
this  threshold,  and  forbidding  as  I  for  months  have 
found  her  whene'er  we  met,  I  would  eive  worlds 
for  one  haughty  and  impatient  glance,  checking  my 
ill-timed  assiduities,  could  she  but  now  sit  there  in 
safety  to  receive  them.  So  noble,  so  gifted,  so  gen- 
tle, to  be  torn  thus — gentle  ?  No,  Alida,  the  word 
befits  not  thy  proud  and  aspiring  nature !  Yet  why 
should  I  hold  her  high  spirit  in  reproach,  because 
I  may  at  times  have  chafed  at  its  imperiousness, 
and  thought  thai  d  looked  too  insolently  down  upon 
such  a  thing  as  I  am  ?  What  am  J,  that  I  should 
aspire  to  the  love  of  such  a  being  ?  What  guerdon 
have  I  won  from  glory,  what  deed  of  nobleness  have 
I  achieved,  that  I  may  ai3>rire  to  mate  myself  with 
one  whose  queen-like  step  should  be  upon  the  neck 
of  emperors  ?" 

And  the  young  man  strode  to  and  fro  across  the 
apartment  with  disordered  pace  and  gesticulations 
that  became  the  extravagance  of  his  languaffe ;  while 
desperate  resolves  and  bitter  self-reproaches  were 
so  wildly  mingled  in  his  speech,  that  one  who  had 
never  before  witnessed  the  fantastic  mood  of  a  lov- 
er, would  have  deemed  that,  if  not  the  immediate 
instrument  of  the  calamity  that  had  overtaken  his 
mistress,  yet  the  preferring  of  his  unwelcome  suit 
must  be  in  some  way  the  cause  of  her  disastrous 
fortunes.  But  when  was  thero  a  lover  who  was  not 
an  egotist,  or  who  did  not  believe  that  the  dream 
which  wraps  his  senses  must  somehow  shape  the 
destiny  of  her  who  inspires  the  infatuation ;  who  can 

H2 


w^a 


!■.> 


llfc^M  ^' 


!>.. 


f^l-vllil 


M'  ',.> 


90 


OBETflLABB  ; 


be  made  to  think  that  the  current  of  his  feelings,  like 
the  ocean  tides,  may  reflect  the  image  without  in- 
fluencing the  actions  of  their  mistress  ?  But  Greys- 
laer,  though  the  first  burst  of  feeling  will  ever  have 
its  way  in  one  so  young  in  years  and  new  to  sorrow, 
was  not  a  man  to  waste  the  moments  that  were  pre- 
cious, in  a  Ipver's  idle  rhapsodies ;  nor,  indeed,  had 
he  given  way  to  even  this  transient  weakness,  until 
he  had  done  ail  that  could  be  at  present  accomplish- 
ed for  the  distressed  household. 

Tfie  bereaved  father,  when  first  brought  to  his 
SAn  i)6f  and  enabled  to  recall  his  share  in  the  events 
J?*  the  night,  left  little  doubt, by  his  teslimonv, as  to 
iitj  o*!  rfposal  that  had  been  made  of  Alida.  But  the 
»ari  kixon  was  so  loose  and  unconnected,  as  wrung 
|Di  <  omeal  from  the  broken-hearted  old  man,  that  we 
h'^v<3  '  itured  to  enlarge  and  connect  his  relation, 
ia  order  to  make  it  intelligible  to  the  reader. 

The  shot  and  shout  which  heralded  the  conflict 
had  struck  dismay  into  the  family  engaged  in  the 
peaceful  avocations  we  have  described  at  the  open- 
ing of  the  last  chapter.  Tl\e  invalid  girl  had  the 
moment  before  laid  aside  the  book  which  she  had 
been  engaged  in  reading  aloud ;  and  her  sister,  taking 
m  Bible  from  the  chimney  piece,  handed  it  to  her  fa- 
ther to  close  the  evening  with  the  customary  reli- 
gjious  service  before  retiring. 

"  It  would  be  provoking,"  remarked  Alida,  while 
opening  the  good  book  on  the  table  before  him,  "  if 
■om9  of  Derrick^s  rough  comrades  should  not  have 
heard  that  the  night  of  the  rr dezvous  was  changed, 
and  come  and  rouse  jh  an  hour  hence  from  our 
slumbers !  There's  one  gallant  I  wot  of,  Tyntie," 
added  she,  passing  her  hand  archly  over  the  head 
of  her  sister,  "who  would  not  be  sorry  for  the 
omission,  if  it  but  gave  him  an  excuse  for  showing 
his  new  uniform  at  Hawksnest.'' 


W'' 


A  ROMANCH  OT  THB  MOHAWK. 


91 


**  Pshaw,  sister,  you  know  that  young  Harper  is 
no  more  to  noe  than  any  other  young  man  of  the 
▼alley  that  comes  to  our  nouse.  But  I  am  sure  that 
to-night  I  should  be  glad  to  see  him  or  any  of  the 
bold  friends  that  Dirk  has  collected  around  us  in 
these  stormy  times.  Brave  as  you  are,  I  don't  be- 
lieve you  would  have  been  sorry  if,  instead  of  the 
boy  they  sent  with  the  note,  wise  Max  Greyslaer 
had  been  the  bearer  of  it." 

"  The  striplings  are  alike  to  me,'*  said  Alida,  with- 
out noticing  the  faint  smile  of  the  invalid.  "  As  for 
Greyslaer,  he  had  to  go  south  to  the  Reinhollow 
Settlement  to  get  his  friends  together;  and  they 
woukl  have  eaten  us  out  of  house  and  home,  if  we 
had  to  keep  his  hungry  hunters  over  the  morrow. 
But,  silly  one,  think  you  that,  if  there  were  danger, 
Derrick  would  have  kept  aloof  himself  ?  Father,  let 
me  look  again  at  his  note  !  See,  there's  nothing  to 
alarm  us  here,"  pursued  she,  reading  the  missive 
aloud : 

"  We  shall  not  disturb  the  repose  of  your  house 
to-night,  my  dear  father,  as  the  proposed  meeting  of 
the  friends  of  the  king  and  constitution  is  deferred. 
The  ministerial  malignants  are  abroad.  Johnson, 
indeed,  still  lies,  with  all  his  power,  at  the  hall ;  but 
his  tool,  Joseph  Brant,  has  got  together  some  vaga- 
bond Mohawks  at  the  north,  and  has  prepared  to 
move  to-morrow  towards  the  river.  He  claims 
that  he  and  his  miscreant  followers  represent  the 
sentiments  of  the  whole  Six  Nations ;  and  we  arc 
going  westward  to  intercept  his  march,  and  seize 
his  person,  Jbefore  he  can  communicate  with  the 
other  Indians  and  work  us  farther  mischief.  I  al- 
ways told  you,  honoured  sir,  that  this  precious  spe- 
cimen of  the  civilized  savage  would  go  with  the 
British  ministers  in  their  tyrannical  attempts  to  en- 


I 


:i    ' 


'^■ 


OS 


ojumijLM ; 


alare  uf,  and  I  will  make  your  quondam  friend  con* 
fess  as  much  before  to-morrow  night,  if — ** 

The  sudden  report  of  firearms,  followed  imme* 
diately  by  the  appalling  war-whoop,  broke  off  the 
farther  reading  of  the  note,  and  struck  dismay  into 
the  defenceless  household.  The  timid  lyntie, 
pressing  her  hands  to  her  temples,  as  if  to  shut  out 
the  fearful  sounds,  bent  her  head  down  to  the  table, 
cowering  like  a  frightened  bird,  hopeless*  of  escape 
when  the  fowler  is  upon  her.  The  old  man  clasped 
his  hands,  and  uplifted  his  aged  and  prayerful  coun- 
tenance with  a  look  of  mute  but  anxious  pleading. 
Alida  only,  of  the  three,  seemed  to  retain  the  power 
of  action.  Pushing  the  table  impatiently  from  her, 
she  stood,  for  a  moment,  with  flashing  eye  and  dila- 
ted form,  and  senses  all  alert,  as  if,  Penthisalea-like, 
the  sounds  of  approaching  combat  were  music  to 
her  soul.  Then,  as  the  turmoil  of  the  strife  rose 
nearer  and  clearer,  she  cast  a  hurried  look  of  anx- 
iety at  the  helpless  beings  by  her  side,  and  rushed 
to  a  window  to  gain  intelligence  of  the  extent  of  the 
danger. 

It  was  the  same  window  beside  which  Brant  and 
his  Scottish  accomplice  had  planted  themselves; 
and,  as  impetuously  throwing  up  the  sash,  she  lean- 
ed far  out  to  catch  a  view  of  the  grounds  beyond  the 
end  of  the  house,  the  sinewy  arm  of  the  chieftain 
encircled  her  waist  in  a  moment,  and,  incapacitated 
from  resistance  alike  by  surprise  and  the  position 
in  which  she  stood,  she  was  lifted  from  her  feet  by 
a  power  that  was  equally  rapid  and  resistless,  ana 
placed  in  the  arms  of  MacDonald,  who,  moved  but 
not  melted  by  her  shrieks,  hurried  from  the  spot 
with  his  captive.  As  for  Brant,  he  had  only  delay- 
ed for  a  moment  to  pinion  her  arms  by  securing  the 
ends  of  his  knotted  Daldrick,  which,  unobserved  by 
MacDonald,  he  had  thrown  over  her  shoulders  in 


the 
bou 


i?iia.'' 


n 


▲  ROXAIfOB  OV  THB  MOHAWK. 


99 


the  moment  he  seized  her  person,  and  then  he 
bounded  through  the  open  window  into  the  apart- 
ment. 

"  Joseph  Brant !"  cried  the  old  man,  raising  the 
palms  of  his  hands  like  one  startled  by  an  appari- 
tion, and  averting  his  head  as  if  to  shut  out  the  con- 
viction of  the  character  in  which  his  former  neigh- 
bour now  presented  himself.  "  Joseph  Brant,  my 
enemy !" 

"  Thayendanagea,  your  ancient  friend,"  replied 
the  chief,  advancing  with  outstretched  hand. 

"  Off,  off,  perfidious  and  ruthless  villain.  If  a  fa- 
ther's vengeance  could  renew  the  strength  in  these 
withered  limbs,  you  durst  not — " 

**  By  the  eternal  spirit  of  Truth  above  us,  not  a 
hair  of  your  daughter's  head,  old  man,  shall  come  to 
harm.  'Twas  but  to  prove  to  you  Alida's  safety  in 
the  hands  of  Thayendanagea  that  I  have  betrayed 
my  share  in  this  night's  business ;  for  that,  and[  to 
assure  you  of  your  own,  is  all< — ** 

"  Yes,  as  the  hound  protects  the  hind  from  the 
knife  of  the  hunter,  when  he  has  driven  her  into  his 
hands.  Off,  dog  of  an  Indian,  off,  wretched  mer- 
cenary ;  or,  if  your  power  to  save  be  equal  to  your 
will  to  slay,  protect  yourself  at  this  moment."  And 
seising  a  tall  andiron  from  the  fireplace,  he  bran- 
dished aloft  his  awkward  weapon,  and  rushed  upon 
the  chieftain.  Phrensied  with  passion,  the  feeble 
old  man  had  summoned  all  his  remaining  energy  to 
deal  a  single  blow  at  the  spoiler  of  his  household ; 
and  as  Brant  leaped  lightly  aside  from  the  descend- 
ing blow,  he  fell  forward,  striking  his  hoary  brow 
with  stunning  effect  against  the  iron  instrument, 
which  came  between  his  head  and  the  floor.  At  this 
moment,  Alida,  escaping  from  the  care  of  MacDon- 
ald,  presented  herself  at  the  window,  with  the  In- 
dian Au-neh-yesh  in  close  pursuit  behind  her^  The 


if 


11-*  < 


"i  "■: 


S'    J-,. 


94 


OBBTILAIS ; 


e:j 


i 


ferocious  young  laTs^e  had  already  raised  his  torn* 
ahawk  to  strike,  and  it  was  only  the  menacing  cry 
of  his  chieftain  and  father  which  saved  the  hfe  of 
the  maid.  A  few  hurried  words  from  him  told 
Brant  that  there  was  now  no  time  to  be  lost,  if  he 
would  secure  the  only  prey  yet  in  his  power.  He 
tore  the  shrieking  sirl  from  the  window-sill,  to 
which  she  clung ;  and  lifting  her  like  a  child  in  his 
arms,  rushed  through  the  garden  and  up  the  wood- 
ed hill  in  the  rear  of  the  house. 

The  younff  Mohawk  turned  to  bear  back  the 
command  of  his  Sachem  to  his  party,  but  catching 
a  glimpse  of  Tyntie's  prostrate  form,  who  still  lay 
lost  in  the  swoon  into  which  the  first  alarm  had 
thrown  her,  he  could  not  resist  his  ferocious  pro- 
pensities, while  the  tumult  of  the  strife,  which  at 
this  moment  rose  nearer  and  nearer,  urged  their 
gratification.  He  sprang  forward,  buried  his  tom- 
ahawk in  her  brain,  and,  twisting  his  finders  in  her 
long  tresses,  had  already  drawn  the  scalping  knife 
from  his  girdle,  when  Greyslaer's  sudden  appear- 
ance compelled  him  to  seek  safety  in  flight. 

The  otter  incidents  of  the  assault  haye  been  al- 
ready detailed  to  the  reader  in  the  previous  chap- 
ter. The  note  we  have  mentioned,  which  still  lay 
open  upon  the  table,  for  the  first  time  acquainted 
Grayslaer  with  the  altered  intentions  of  his  friends. 
But,  under  existing  circumstances,  he  determined 
to  remain  at  the  Hawksnest,  and  await  their  coming 
on  the  following  day.  An  attempt  to  rescue  Alida 
with  his  present  handful  of  men  would,  he  soon 
acknowledged,  be  worse  than  vain ;  but  he  did  not 
abandon  the  idea,  until,  by  a  close  examination  of 
the  ^ound,  he  had  made  a  tolerably  accurate  esti- 
mation of  the  number  of  followers  Brant  had  with 
him,  and  his  means  of  securing  an  escape  to  the 
upper  country.    He  was  even  able  to  trace  the  footp 


X   SOMANOB  or  TBB  MOHAWK. 


95 


Mluepn  of  Alida  herself  in  several  places.  But  a 
dog  belonging  to  the  household,  which  had  been 
unchttined  to  assist  in  the  examination,  and  had 
proved  himself  eminently  useful  in  striking  the  In- 
dian trail  h\  the  first  instance,  and  shown  his  saga- 
cious eympathy  in  their  search  by  uttering  a  sharp 
howl  when  they  first  lighted  upon  the  traces  of  his 
mistress,  disappeared  soon  afterward  amid  the  dark- 
ness of  the  forest,  and  the  use  of  the  lanterns  in 
groping  about  added  nothing  farther  to  their  dis- 
coveries when  the  aid  of  the  animal  was  withdrawn. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  patriot  party  took  every 
precaution  to  secure  themselves  against  a  surprise 
during  the  ni^ht.  The  windows  of  the  house  were 
strongly  barricaded,  sentinels  were  posted,  and  a 
shed,  with  other  slight  outbuildings,  which  mi^ht 
cover  the  approach  of  an  enemy,  were  levelled  with 
the  ground.  The  body  of  the  unfortunate  Tyntie 
was  consigned  to  the  care  of  a  couple  of  female 
slaves,  whose  vociferous  grief  over  the  gory  re- 
mains of  their  young  mistress  almost  drowned  the 
deep  mourning  of  her  stricken-hearted  father,  who 
had  to  be  forcibly  torn  from  the  body  and  carried 
off  to  another  chamber. 

After  a  night  made  tedious  by  broken  slumbers 
and  harassing  dreams,  confusedly  alternating  each 
other,  it  was  with  no  slight  feeling  of  relief  that 
Greyslaer  hailed  the  approach  of  dawn.  The  sum- 
mer landscape  wore  a  Sabbath-like  stillness,  as 
he  gazed  upon  it  from  his  open  window,  while  in- 
halinff  the  fresh  breeze  of  morning.  The  mist- 
wreatns  curling  up  from  the  river  were  the  only  ob- 
jects moving,  and  even  these  stole  off  as  gently  as 
if  fearful  of  breaking  the  silence  by  a  more  rapid 
motion ;  creeping  now  around  some  imbowered 
islet,  pausing  now  to  twine  for  a  moment  amid  the 
leafy  festoons  of  vines  and  branching  elms  upon 


»•■  f-' 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


<. 

m 


1.0 


I.I 


I 


nt  Ui    12.2 

IL    Hi 

20 


L25  HI  1.4 


U4 


Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


33  WIST  MAIN  STKET 

WHSTH.N.Y.  MSSO 

(716)072-4503 


,\ 


SJ 


\\ 


[V 


o^ 


? 


.:&V>- 


8ome  jutting  promontory,  and  now  circling  the  brow 
of  one  of  £o8e  cliffs  whose  craggy  and  frowning 
summits  give  its  only  feature  of  sternness  to  the 
soft  and  lovely  vale  of  the  Mohawk,  and  at  once 
dignify  and  diversify  its  exquisite  landscape. 

The  heart  of  the  young  patriot  bled  to  think  that 
a  scene  so  fair  and  smiling  must  be  given  up  to  the 
cruel  ravages  of  war.  Of  a  war  too,  which,  while 
presenting  itself  in  the  worst  form  of  that  scourge 
of  humanity,  brought  with  it  the  threatening  hor* 
Tors  of  many  a  savage  massacre,  superadded  to  the 
dire  calamity  of  armed  discord  among  those  who 
call  themselves  civilized. 

'*  And  what,**  thought  Greyslaer,  ^'  what  are  the 
private  griefs  of  one  solitary  being  like  myself,  to 
the  sorrows  of  the  thousanda  whose  fate  is  wound 
up  in  this  impending  struggle ;  what  weighs  the 
present  doom  of  all  of  us,  when  balanced  in  the 
scales  of  Omniscient  Benevolence,  against  the  wel- 
fare of  the  millions  yet  unborn,  whose  destiny  hangs 
upon  the  success  of  our  endeavour.  God  of  Heav* 
en !  but  it  is  a  gallant  game,  a  noble  stake  we  play 
for.  But  those  that  come  after  us  !  will  they  prise 
it  when  won,  will  they  cherish  the  glorious  guerdon, 
and  remember  the  deeds  and  the  men  who  made  it 
theirs  ?  Will  they  love  each  rodd  and  inch  of  their 
blood-bought  patrimony,  where  every  acre  that  was 
sown  with  the  dragon  teeth  of  despotism  produced 
its  hero  T  Will  they  too  rear  a  race  of  men,  fit  to 
be  the  second  crop  of  a  soil  so  generous  ?  Will  the 
free-born  dames  of  those  days,  will  the  mothers 
that  tutor  them-— alas  [  if  their  mothers  were  to  be 
such  as  thee,  Alida,  who  could  doubt  their  high- 
souled  nurture  !**  But  the  thoughts  of  the  youthful 
Oreyslacr  became  less  coherent,  as  they  aesUmeli  a 
softer  character,  nor  need  we  follow  the  reflections 


m 


M  BOMANOB  or  THB  MOBAWX. 


97 


of  the  ardent  young  patriot,  as  they  became  merged 
in  the  vague  musing  of  the  less  sanguine  lover. 

As  the  day  wore  on,  and  the  hour  of  the  expect- 
ed return  oi  the  younger  De  Roos  to  his  fatner's 
house  drew  nigh,  (jrreyslaer  shrunk  from  witnessing 
the  harrowing  impression  which  the  desolate  house- 
hold must  make  upon  his  friend.  Qerrick  came 
not,  however,  in  the  manner  that  was  painfully  an- 
ticipated by  those  who  dreaded  the  snock  ot  sur- 
prise that  seemed  to  await  him.  Ill  news  flies  fast, 
and  the  story  of  his  ruined  homestead  was  soon 
spread  over  the  countr]r ;  and  when  the  young  De 
It6o8,  retuminff  from  his  bootless  quest  of  Brant, 
first  feH  in  with  his  friends  and  neiffhbours  flocking 
to  the  scene  of  disaster,  he  soon  learned,  the  dark 
story  from  the  agitated  females,  who  were  hunting, 
in  company  with  their  fathers  and  brothers,  toward 
the  Hawksnest.  Leaving  another  to  take  charge 
of  his  own  immediate  party,  the  horror-stricken 
young  man  threw  himself  on  a  fresh  horse  that  was 
profiered  by  a  kiiisman,  and,  striking  the  spurs  into 
his  flanks,  dashed  furiously  forwaid. 

"Where  is  she?  Where  are  their  bodies  The 
exclaimed,  foaming  with  impatience  as  he  leaped 
from  the  saddle  and  rushed  into  the  house,  as  if 
the  mad  energy  of  his  grief  could  even  yet  rekindle 
life  in  the  bosoms  of  the  dead. 

"  My  son,  nay  son !"  cried  the  old  man^  moving  a 
fltep  toward  Derrick,  then  tottering,  and  sinkmg 
helpless  into  the  chair  from  which  he  had  risen. 

**  My  father !"  screamed  the  youth,  in  a  wild  tone 
of  delight  and  grief,  most  strangely  mingled.  **  And 
did  the  wretches  then  spare  your  gray  hair* ;  are 
all,  then,  not  gone  f 

"  All !  look  there,  look  there,  Derrick !  They  left 
my  aged  blood  to  chill  in  my  veins  through  time,  if 
horror  might  not  curdle  it ;  but  those  young  pulses 

Vol.  I.— I    ' 


,:  l>.\. 


'i\  ' 


^■.¥'- 


li  V. 


96 


o: 


ibAhasb: 


!; 


haTe^^eased  to  beat  for  erer.**  And  the  frame  of  the 
youth  trdinbted  like  that  of  a  woman  ai  his  fiithet 
pomted  to  the  narrow  cot  where,  stark  and  stiff,  but 
atill  composed,  in  the  decent  attire  of  a  Christian 
g^rare,  reposed  the  remains  of  Tyntie,  his  younger 
sister.  His  features  were  as  pale  as  those  of  Uie 
corpse  as  he  advanced  to  its  side  and  raised  the  nap* 
kin  which  coTered  the  face.  He  started.  "What» 
Tyntie,  my  poor,  my  senile  ffirl  (  And  was  thy 
iMlcate  thread  of  life,  that  might  have  snapped  so 
easily — so  nearly  worn,  too,  that  any  moment  might 
faaye  severed  it — ^was  that  frail  thread  thus  rudely 
mien  asunder  V*  He  spoke  mournfully,  but  there 
was  no  bitterness  in  his  grief;  and  nascent  hope 
and  bumti^  anxiety  were  depicted  in  his  counts* 
nance  as  he  turned  hastily  to  his  father,  in  a  hesise 
and  tremulous  whisper : 

"  Alida — Alida,  my  father  V*  His  agitation  waa 
loo  great  to  utter  more. 

"She  was  borne  off  by  the  ?illain  Bran^  mihamed 
as  we  think  and  trust,**  said  Greyslaer,  ad?anoing. 
*'  I  waited  but  y^our  arrival,  Derrick^  to  reiaibice  ay 
fifles  and  start  in  pursuit.'* 

A  complete  reaction  now  took  njaoe  in  At  feel* 
inffs  of  the  mercurial  young  De  Koos.  Bvraeur^ 
who  flies  on  ma^ic  wings»  genendly,  too,  exercises 
a  magical  power  m  exaggerating  the  tkiia^  that  ahe 
bears.  The  disniayed  youth  mi  heard  m  the  first 
instance  of  the  total  destruction  of  his  house;  indeed^ 
there  had  been  tales  of  burning|8  as  well  as  naasa^ 
cres ;  and  when  he  rode  so  furiouily  homeward,  it 
was  tiot  until  he  beiMld  the  quiet  smoke  ascendiig 
from  the  haU  of  his  lakxtcy  that  he  hoped  even  lo 
recoTer  the  bodies  of  his  kindf^  for  Uhristiaa  bu- 
lial.  To  find  his  father  livhiff,  and  AJkia,  hii^fa- 
▼onrifta  sbter,  his  pride  and  his  delighly  stifl  not  oubh 
bered  wiih  ^  dead,  wrought  auch  a  change  in  kii 


▲  BOM ANOH  OV  *n  MOHAWK. 


mind,  that  every  object  around  him  wore  a  new  aa- 
peot.  The  world,  which  a*  few  momenta  before 
aeemed  bo  drear  and  gloomy,  that  the  verv  idea  of 
drawing  out  hit  desolate  exiitenee  for  an  hour  wai 
accompanied  by  ^hat  auffocating  sense  of  pain  in* 
tolerable,  that  most  men,  perhaps,  have  sometimee 
known — the  world,  the  young  and  half-tried  world 
around  him,  seemed  now  almost  as  fresh  and  fair 
as  ever.  With  buoyant  step  he  hurried  out  to  meet 
his  approaching  friends,  and,  as  the  wagons  of  the 
gathenng  yeomanry  drove  into  the  courtyard,  it 
would  have  seemed,  from  the  congratulatipns  that 
{Missed  among  the  females,  whom  sympathy  or  cu- 
riosity had  brought  to  the  house  of  mournmg,  that 
every  cause  of  grief  were  for  the  moment  re- 
moved. 
All  the  particulars  relating  to  the  last  hours  of  the 

?rounff  girt,  who  thus  far  had  been  the  chief  suf- 
ererhy  these  events,  were  now  told  over  and  over, 
amid  frequent  exclamations  among  the  females, 
while  the  incidents  of  the  flight  were  recounted 
with  not  less  animation  by  the  men  who  participa- 
ted in  it,  as  they  clustered  around  some  mounted 
rangers,  who,  being  among  the  new-comers,  were 
now  engaged  in  grooming  their  horses  at  the  stable. 
The  fate  of  the  orave  fellows  who  had  fallen,  aqd 
who,  few  in  number,  chanced  to  be  mere  hangers- 
on  of  the  community,  with  no  near  kindred  to  la- 
ment them,  was  by  their  acquaintances  and  com- 
rades siticerely  deplored.  As  4he  evening  drew  on, 
many  of  the  party  dispersed,  some  to  seek  a  supper 
and  bed  with  the  nearest  neighbours,  none  of  whom 
dwelt  within  a  mile  of  the  Hawksnest ;  and  others 
to  seek  a  berth  for  the  nisht  in  the  bam  or  some 
other  outbuilding,  where  tney  might  be  ready  for 
attendance  upon  the  funeral  on  the  morrow.  Greys- 
laer,  in  the  mean  time,  having  taken  counsel  with 


i  i''^"-^ 


m 


m 


W.' 


■}> 


•  • »   » 


*'.- 


)    i       t     4    V    ■ 


100 


OBBtlLAVE  ; 


the  friends  of  Alida's  family,  it  was  anreed  that  he 
and  Derrick  should  lea?e  the  care  of  the  ceremonial 
to  a  near  kinsman  of  the  latter,  while,  selecting  a 
chosen  party  of  followers,  they  should  set  out  to- 
gether an  hour  after  midnight  to  follow  up  the  trail 
of  Brant. 


«  «  • 


>^!i-. 


that  he 
emoDMl 
icting  a 
out  tOi- 

;he  trail 


■-1*, 


A  BOM ANOl  OV  JME  MOHAWK. 


101 


CHAPTER  IX. 


mi 


dkath'8  doings. 

**  And  he  look*  for  tli»  print  of  the  rafBan'o  feet. 
Where  he  bore  the  maiden  eway, 
And  he  darta  on  the  fatal  path  more  fleet. 
Than  the  blaat  that  hurries  the  vapour  and  aleet 

h 


O'er  the  irild  NoTember  day/ 


SvUMT. 


It  wai  through  the  lenity  of  MacDonald,  in  re- 
leasing the  bonds  of  his  captive  the  monaent  he  dis- 
covered her  arms  were  pinioned,  that  Alida  had 
aucceeded  in  making  her  single  attempt  at  escape, 
which  we  have  already  seen  was  futile.  The  wor- 
thy Scotchman  was  deeply  chagrined  at  having  in 
any  way  participated  in  tne  business  of  the  night, 
which  he  deemed  a£feoted  his  character  both  as  an 
officer  and  as  a  gentleman ;  and  now,  while  hurry- 
ing toward  tholmlian  station,  he  did  not  hesitate  to 
eaqpress  his  regztt  that  the  lady  had  not  succeeded 
in  regaining  the  protection  of  her  friends.  Thay- 
endanaffea  seemed  in  nowise  offended  with  the  blunt- 
ness  of  nis  language)  as  the  major  denounced  in  no 
measured  terms  me  Indian  system  of  making  war 
upon  women  and  children,  answering  only  very  djryly 
that  that  was  a^nisstion  for  the  morali^,  which  he 
would  be  happy  to  discuss  with  his  ^end  whieiii 
they  should  oe  at  leisure  to  talk  over  the  wbol^ 
aubject  of  war,  witli  fiir  John's  chaplain  to  make  ^ 
third  party  in  the  discussion.  *'  But,  Major  MacDon- 
ald,'',8aid  he,  "I  could  tell  you  that  m  renrd  0 
the  position  of  thia  young  lady  wliich  entijreiy  jpre- 


i    '• 


•0": 


:i   '  f 


■■■■^,: 


i08 


aBBVlLUIB.; 


renti  her  case  from  being  included  in  the  queition 
you  hare  raised.*' 

,  '*  You  hare  already  told  me  the  considerationi  of 
policy  which  prompted  the  act ;  but,  Sachem,  there 
li  but  one  policy  which  should  ever  govern  gallant 
men  when  the  welfare  of  women  is  concerned.  Our 
humane  civilization  teaches  us  that  war—'' 

"  Is  an  honourable  game,  at  which  the  noble  and 
the  far-descended  should  play  with  the  lavished 
lives  of  their  inferiors,  the  wail  of  whose  desolated 
kindred  can  never  reach  the  ears  of  the  upper 
classes,  to  whom  alone  the  j^iiie  of  glory  in  any 
event  may  fall;  pardon  my  intenuption,  but  that, 
Major  MacDonald,  is  the  real  purport  of  what  you 
would  say.  You  would  shudder  at  the  bare  thought 
of  0|ie  of  ^England's  high-bom  dames  being  torn  from 
her  luxurious  home  to  a  prisoner's  dungeon ;  and  the 
horror  of  her  being  tortured  at  the  stake  would 
darken  the  recollection  of  the  most  brilliant  successes 
in  war.  But  the  wretched  children,  whom  you 
doom  to  grow  up  in  poverty  and  contempt  by  ma- 
kins  them  fatherless ;  the  lacerated  hearts  of  thoa« 
sands  of  widows,  whose  existence  yoii  protract  by 
your  relUdtant  bounty,  after  renderins  that  existence 
miserable;  these  are  never  rememoered  to  cast  a 
•hade  oter  die  tale  of  a  victoiy.  Call  yeii  this  hu- 
manity, which  embraces  but  the  welfare  of  a  class 
within  its  mercies  ?  Call  you  this  coniideration  for 
womaii,  which  regards  the  rank  rather  than  the  sex 
of  the  sufferers?  The  MtI  Great  Spirit  of  the 
uniterie !  have  I  not  read  of  your  gallantry,  yomr 
Under  mercies  tovvard  them  in  the  storminff  6f 
towns  and  casUes  ?  J,  ah  Indian,  a  smage,  have 
i0en  your  own  reilprdtf,  the  white  man's  printed  tep- 
timony  to  diese  abominations  of  his  race;  but  the 
breath  of  life  is  not  in  the  nostrils  of  him  who  has 
s^en  a  female  insulted  by  her  Iroquois  captot.^ 


'%^-„, 


A  BOMANOB  OF  TBB  MOHAWK. 


108 


MacDonald  listened  to  the  tirade  of  the  chieftain 
without  caring  to  contradict  what  he  said ;  and,  by 
way  of  cutting  short  the  discussion,  and  changing 
|he  subject  to  one  of  a  less  abstract  nature,  he  a£ 
mitted  that  if  war  were  an  e?]!,  not  the  least  mm- 
mary  Way  of  putting  an  end  to  it  was  by  the  Indian 
mode  of  making  all  who  were  interested  in  its  re- 
sult indiscriminate  sharers  in  its  horrors.  "  But  I 
have  yet  to  learn,  Sachem,**  said  he,  "  why  the  wel- 
fare of  this  young  lady  is  not  involved  in  the  ques- 
tion T 

Brant  smiled  grimly,  and  pointed  to  a  litter  of 
boughs  carried  by  a  couple  of  Indians,  whereon  le- 
pdsed  the  form  of  Alida,  wrapped  in  his  own  man- 
tle. **  Could  a  father,**  he  said,  *'  care  more  gently 
for  his  own  daushter  than  do  I  for  the  Lady  Alida  ? 
Could  that  feeble  old  man,  with  his  rash,  hot-head- 
ed son,  have  ffiven  her  the  safe  shelter  she  may 
find,  in  times  like  these,  beneath  the  roof  of  Thay- 
eiidanagea  ?  The  devil  is  unchained,  I  tell  ye,  Ma- 
jor MacDonald,  and  there  are  wild  men  enough 
beside  Indians  to  do  his  bidding  in  these  parts.** 

*'  Why,**  said  MacDonald,  in  a  tone  of  surprise 
and  pleauure,  ''why  did  you  not  hint  this  to  me 
before?  You  spoke  but  of  taking  the  lady  as  an 
hostage !  Had  I  thought  that  so  generous  a  concern 
prompted—** 

'*  Nay,  speak  not  of  ffenerosity.  Perhaps,  after 
all — ^though  her  safety  is  best  secured  by  the  act — ^it 
was  but  as  an  hostage  that  I  did  seize  my  captive. 
But  I  mean  her  as  an  hostage  to  restrain  far  more 
dangerous  spirits  than  the  m«l-cap  De  Roos,  or  the 
dreaming  enthusiast  Greyslaer.  There  are  men- 
men  bearing  the  commission  of  the  king,  who  bring 
the  ferocious  nature  of  outlaws  to  our  cause ;  men 
whom  you  and  I  would  scorn  to  act  with,  save  in  n 
catise  BO  holy ;  and  in  the  mad  dance  of  devilifh  piA« 


'If 


m 


If::: 


•l-i! 


!H. 


104 


•BmL4B* 


\\ 


•ioni  which  the  con? uliion  of  the  timei  will  let  loof  e, 
they  muft  be  restrained  by  other  powers  than  those 
of  official  authority.  There  is  one  man  who— but 
this  is  not  the  time  to  speak  of  him ;  let  us  urge  on* 
ward  to  our  destination/' 

That  time  never  came  with  Brant,  who  seemed 
to  have  forgotten  the  promised  solution  of  his  dark, 
and  mysterious  langusffe  when  they  arriTcd  at  the 
Indian  station ;  nor  aid  MacDonald,  who  soon  after 
departed  with  an  escort  through  the  woods  to  Johns* 
town,  understand,  till  long  afterward,  the  bearing  of 
what  the  chieftain  said  upon  events  disclosed  in  the 
sequel ;  and  which  may  be  best  unfolded  in  the 
regular  course  of  our  story,  which  recurs  again  to 
the  scene  of  our  last  chapter. 

It  was  about  the  hour  of  midnight  tha^fhe  young* 
er  De  Roos,  taking  Bait  to  guide  him  upon  the  In- 
dian track,  quietly  withdrew  to  the,  hillside  with  hit 
followers ;  where,  after  some  ten  minutes'  impatient 
waiting  for  Greyslaer,  they  took  up  their  line  of 
march  through  the  forest  without  him. 

Greyf  |ier,  in  the  mean  time,  rising  from  the  pal* 
let  wherfon  he  had  snatched  a  brief  repose,  de* 
scended  the  staircase,  and  already  had  his  hand  on 
the  outer  door,  when  a  deep  moaning  in  the  room 
adjacent  to  the  passage  arrested  his  attention.  A 
feeble  liffht  streaming  through  an  aperture  showed 
that  the  door  was  ajar,  and,  with  cautioos  and  eub* 
dned  steps,  he  hesitated  not  to  enter. 

It  was  the  chamber  of  the  dead. 

ne  flickering  taper  upon  the  hear&Tevealed  the 
figure  oi  an  orawoman  in  a  gray  doak,  whose  al* 
tevualed  and  eallew  feet)ires  looked  still  moie  gkaet* 
\j  from  the  acnriet  hood  which  was  thrown  back 
from  her  Inrehead  and  rested  upon  her  shouldeBl* 
She  sat  upon  a  low  wicker  chair,  with  one  of  h#r 
feet  upon  i^ieotitQol»  tad  the  other  with  the  toe 


I  III!! 


,s 


« 


▲  SOMAHOB  OF  THB  MOHAWK. 


105 


•tiffly  upturned,  and  the  heel  resting  on  ihe  floor, 
thrust  out  80  far  beyond  her  dresa  that  its  shrivelled 

froportions  showea  like  the  stark  limb  of  a  skeleton, 
[er  cheek  -supported  upon  her  bony  finffers,  with 
the  closed  lids  of  her  sunken  eyes,  showed  that  her 
▼igil  had  been  badly  kept ;  andfGreyslaer,  pained  at 
the  thought  that  the  remains  of  the  gentle  Tyntie 
should  be  left  to  such  a  watcher,  turned  from  the 
forlorn  old  crone  to  the  coffin  in  which  the  body  had 
been  laid. 

It  was  empty.  But,  before  he  could  rally  his 
thouffhts  to  account  fo(  &  circumstance  so  astound- 
ing, the  moaning  sounds  which  had  first  drawn  him 
to  the  chamber  again  caught  his  ear.  He  turned; 
and  beheld  a  sight  both  piteous  and  awful. 

In  a  shadowy  corner  of  the  room,  removed  as  far 
as  possible  from  the  slumbering  suardian  of  the 
dead,  sat  the  venerable  father  of  the  murdered 
maiden,  folding  her  stiffened  corpse  in  his  arms, 
and  pressing  it  to  his  bosom  with  a  teiklernesa  as 
passionate  as  if  he  thought  that  the  pulses  of  p»^ 
rental  affection  which  beat  within  could  rekindle 
those  of  life  in  his  departed  daughter.  The  shroud, 
with  its  formal  drapery,  still  veiled  the  lineaments 
of  her  clay-cold  form ;  but  the  napkin  that  shielded 
her  throat,  and  the  fillet  or  muslin  hand  thatcovered 
the  gash  in  her  forehead,  while  keeping  the  long 
locks  smoothly  parted  beneath  it,  had  escaped  from 
their  place ;  and  the  golden  tresses,  floating  loose, 
mingled  with  the  gray  hair  of  the  old  man,  as  ho 
madly  kissed  the  frightful  wound  through  which  her 
gentle  spirit  had  been  dismissed  to  heaven. 

The  agonized  parent,  who  had  thus  crept,  in  the 
dead  of  the  night,  to  hold  this  awful  communion  with 
his  child,  seemed  wholly  unconscious  of  the  pres- 
ence of  Greyslaer,  who  would  fain  have,  slunk  away 
in  silence  as  one  who,  by  unwitting  intrusion,  pio- 


».. 


i 


:^i  I! 


I'll 


106 


««*.oBaTiL4im; 


\' 


# 


faned  fome  hallowed  myitery ;  but  bit  power  of  to* 
lition  feemed  laken  away,  and  he  •till  continued  to 
•tend,  in  ipite  of  himself,  ai  it  were,  with  eyes  riv- 
eted upon  the  heart-rending  apectacte.  At  length 
the  mute  anguiah  of  the  old  man  found  Tent  in  worai. 
The  colour  went  and  came  atrangely  o?er  hit  aahea 
countenance ;  while  hit  featuret  writhed  at  if  it  weri 
difficult  for  them  to  attume  the  new  eiprettion  of 
male? olent  and  findictife  feeling  they  had  now  for 
the  firtt  time  to  wear. 

"  Brant,  cruel  Brant,**  cried  the  wretched  parent, 
*'the  God — the  Chrittian*t  God,  whom  I  aided  in 
teaching  thee  to  worthip,  may  forgi?e  thee  thia,  but 
I^I  nef  er  can.  A  parent'a  curte— 4he  curte  of  a 
bereaTod  and  atricken  heart,  be,  oh  God,  upon—**  A 
burtt  of  aobt,  that  for  a  moment  threatened  to  auffo- 
eate  him,  cut  ahort  the  blaiphemoua  appeal;  bat 
hiatory,  in  the  tragic  fate  of  Brant*a  own  family,  hat 
shown  how  deeply  the  malediction  wrought  in  after 
Totra;  and  the  old  man,  like  one  atartled  by  a  tpell 
himtelf  had  e? oked,  teemed,  with  the  prophetic  eya 
of  approaching  dittolution,  to  foretee  the  working 
of  hit  curte.  He  thivered  aa  with  a  graTO-chill ; 
and,  dropping  now  upon  hit  kneet,  with  the  lifeleaa 
face  of  nit  daughter  upturned  upon  hit  botoip, 
mutely  pleading  toward  heaven,  he  ettayed  in 
prayer  to  beaeech  a  pardon  and  recall  hia  wordi. 
But  hit  quiverinff  lipt  refuted  to  lyllable  a  tound. 
A  tudden  and  tubtile  agony  teemed  on  the  inttant 
to  travel  through  bi>  limbt  and  rack  hit  aged  frame; 
and  then,  while  unretittingly  permitting  Greytlaer 
to  take  the  body  from  hit  arms,  he  tank  uncontcioua 
upon  the  floor. 

Calling  the  old  woman  to  hit  aid,  Greytlaer,  with 
tfie  tender  care  of  a  mother,  lifting  the  fragile  foim 
if  her  child  in  which  life  ttill  feebly  hovert,  again 
lontigned  the  body  to  its  formal  receptacle ;  and, 


#  1 1 


▲  ROMAMOB  OF  TRB  MOHAWK. 


107 


while  the  crone  butied  herielf  in  readjuiting  the 
grafe-clothes  of  the  maiden,  he  turned  to  rtiie  her 
wretched  father  from  the  ground. 

But  the  Borrows  of  the  old  man  had  ceased  for 
erer ;  the  thread  of  his  feeble  existence,  protracted 
only,  as  it  seemed,  beyond  the  usual  length,  to  be 
interwofen  at  the  last  with  more  than  usual  mise- 
ry, had  snapped  beneath  the  tension  of  an  agonized 
spirit.  He  had  been  called  ewav — after  a  long  life 
of  blameless  benevolence  and  Christian  meeknesi, 
be  had  been  mysteriously  called  away  in  a  moment 
of  contumacy  toward  Heaven.  He  departed,  in- 
deed, with  a  prayer  upon  his  lips,  but  his  last-utter- 
ed words  were  those  of  imprecation.  He  had  been 
called,  thouj^h,  by  a  God  of  mercy  t 

It  was  with  a  sad  heart  that  Greyslaer,  after 
climbing  the  hills  to  strike  the  trail  of  his  friends, 
ittocee<Md  at  last  in  overtaking  them  after  an  hour'a 
rapid  walk  through  the  forest ;  nor,  for  a  long  time, 
could  be  find  the  heart  to  break  to  Derrick  de  Rooe 
die  mournful  event  which  he  had  just  witnessed. 
The  blow  was  better  received  than  he  had  anticipa- 
ted. The  grief  of  the  warip-hearted  but  mercurial 
young  man  was  indeed,  in  the  first  instance,  pat- 
•ionate  to  a  degree  that  was  outrageous ;  but,  as  it 
found  an  immediate  outlet  in  words — ^for,  in  the 
madness  of  his  mood,  he  poured  out  such  a  torrent 
of  curses  upon  Biant,  the  author  of  his  sorrows,  aa 
to  shock  the  better-disciplined  mind  of  his  friend— 
the  first  parorjram  soon  passed  over.  When  this 
Tiolent  burst  of  emotion  had  had  its  way,  he  seem- 
ed, by  a  versatility  of  feeling  not  uncommon  in  per- 
•ons  of  his  keen  but  transient  susceptibility  to  the 
impression  of  the  moment,  to  be  almost  reconciled 
to  the  event.  And  his  words  characteristically  be- 
trayed this  condition  of  his  mind.  He  stood  a  few 
minutes,  distracted  between  the  natural  wish  to  re- 


i 


«!#! 


m 
i 

r 

ill 
'I 

iJ 


^^i:i^^l, 


108 


OBVrSLASR  ; 


^ 


I  I 


turn  and  aid  in  the  last  obsequies  to  his  father,  and 
an  eager  impatience  to  hurry  on  to  the  rescue  of  his 
sister,  and,  at  the  same  time,  strike  instant  ven- 
geance upon  the  desolator  of  his  household. 

**  Yes,  I  will  proceed,**  cried  he,  at  last ;  "  and 
now  Alida — the  only  living  object  that  remains  for 
my  care — must  at  once  be  got  out  of  the  clutches 
ot  these  hell-hounds.  Perhaps,  too,  after  all,  my 
dear<  Max,  it  is  better  that  the  old  man  departed  as 
he  did.  There  will  be  wild  work  doing  in  the  val- 
ley for  years  to  come ;  and  the  kind  heart  of  my  fa- 
ther already  bled  for  the  distracted  state  of  the  coun- 
try, as  he  used  to  pray  that  he  might  never  live  to 
witness  the  scenes  of  havoc  and  of  bloodshed  that 
must  soon  ensue.  Strange !  and  I  used  to  think  it 
but  an  old  man*s  dreaming.  Yes,  yes,  Greyslaer,  it 
was  better  that  he  should  be  removed  at  the  first 
outbreak  of  the  storm,  than  that  those  gray  hairs 
should  be  left  to  be  still  farther  bleached  by  its  pelt- 
ings,  and  bowed  down  to  the  ffrave  at  last,  witnout 
his  ever  beholding  the  bright  days  to  come  that  you 
and  I  may  yet  witness.** 

And,  with  the  wonted  buoyancy  of  his  gay  and  not 
wholly  unselfish  nature,  refusing  thus  to  entertain  a 

grief  where  resret  was  unavailing — with  the  sanguine 
opes  of  Youth  gildinsf  thus  quickly  the  clouds  of  a 
new-sprung  sorrow,  the  young  man  seemed  to  dis- 
miss tne  subject  for  the  present,  whatever  may  have 
been  his  after-emotions.  Constitutionally  reckless 
and  unreflecting  as  he  was,  it  would  be  doing  injus- 
tice to  De  Roos,  however,  to  say  that  his  step  was 
as  buoyant  as  before,''though  he  again  strode  stoutly 
forward  with  his  comrades. 


# 


A  BOXAMOB  OF  THB  MOHAWK. 


109 


t    " 


I' 


•    if  r ; 


CHAPTER  X. 

TBI  FORBST-TRAIL 

**  Ha  tkims  the  bine  tide  in  hie  birchen  caHoe, 

Where  tiie  foe  in  the  moonbeam  hie  path  may  deaerjr ; 
The  ball  to  ita  aeope  may  roeed  rapid  and  true, 
And  loat  in  the  ware  be  thy  father'a  death-cry." 

SufM. 

**  Well,  Squire  Dirk,"  said  Bah,  breakinff  a- long 
silence,  and  speaking  for  the  first  time  since  the  party 
had  got  fairly  on  the  move  once  more,  "  I  mistrust 
that  your  Iniun  friend  there,  Teondetha,  or  whatever 
be  the  chap  s  name,  that  you  and  Captinff  Greyslaer 
are  so  thick  with,  I  mistrust  that  he  didi^t  help  you 
much,  arter  all,  in  finding  out  old  Josie.  I'll  war- 
rant me,  now,  the  sarpent^  one  of  Brant's  own  crew, 
sent  out  to  mislead  our  people.  Whereabouts  did 
the  Oneida  leave  your  party  V* 

**  What !"  exclaimed  Greyslaer ;  "  surely  Teon- 
detha did  not  desert  you.  I'll  answer  with  my  life 
for  the  fidelity  of  that  Indian." 

'*And  so,  twenty-four  hours  since,  would  I  with 
mine,"  said  Derrick^  sorrowfully.  "  I've  known  Te- 
ondetha much  longer  than  you.  Max ;  he  was  here 
at  Mr.  Kirkland's  missionary  school  while  you  were 

getting  your  college-training  at  the  east.  With  our 
ows  and  arrows  we  used  to  watch  the  stone  walls 
for  chipmunks  when  bovs  together;  often  have  I 
taken  off  my  stockins  tor  him  to  bag  the  flying 
squirrel,  as  he  climbedto  the  hollow  bougli  of  some 
tall  chestnut,  while  I  thundered  with  the  back  of  his 
tomahawk  upon  the  decayed  trunk  below.  And  in 
Vol.  I.— K 


!.■  "■ , 


:•?' 


i.i    ■:'l 


-i-mt' 


i! 


uo 


OBSYSLABB ; 


later  years,  when  he  came  down  to  Guy  Park  with 
his  iribesmen  to  receive  the  ffovernment  presentSi 
many  a  hunt  have  we  had  in  tnese  woods  together. 
But  one  knows  not  who  to  trust  in  times  like  these ; 
there's  Brant  himself  was  for  years  my  father's 
friend,  though  I  never  liked  the  haughty  Sachem^** 
The  last  words  suggested  associations  so  bitter  that 
the  young  man  was  for  the  moment  overcome  by 
his  emotions,  and  then,  regaininff  his  composure,  he 
resumed,  still  in  a  mournml  tone  :  "  Certain  it  is, 
Greyslaer,  that  Teondetha  separated  from  us  in  the 
forest,  but  whether  from  accident  or  treachery  I  am 
unable  to  determine." 

"Well,  a  painter  is  always  a  painter,  an  Injun 
always  an  Injun,  no  how  you  may  tame  'em ;  and  I 
don't  quarrel  much  with  the  crittur  because  he  chose 
Id  sort  with  his  own  kind.  No  man's  to  be  blamed 
for  stickinff  to  his  colour,  for  that's  human  natur 
through  and  through,  any  way  you  may  fix  it.  I'm 
not  mad  with  him  for  that.  Fm  only  mad  with  my- 
self that  I  didn't  shoot  him  down  jist  by  accident,  as 
it  might  be,  afore  he  got  fairly  into  our  councils." 

"  Bait !"  whispered  Greyslaer,  in  a  low  but  stem 
Toice,  for  he  did  not  wish  to  mortify  the  faithful 
woodsman  before  his  comrades ;  "  to  me.  Bait,  and 
to  our  cause — to  all  whom  you  call  your  friends,  I 
believe  you  to  be  a  good  man  and  true;  and,  as 
auoh,  I  would  peril  my  life  with  you  or  for  you ;  but, 
Indian  or  white,  by  the  God  that  made  me^if  you 
ever  practise  such  a  piece  of  treachery  upon  breath- 
ing man,  you  shall  die  the  death  at  my  hands.  I 
wul  pistol  you  upon  the  spot." 
"  '*Wh«eu*ffh!  and  what  would  old  Bait  care  for 
that,  if,  by  shooting  one  of  the  red  devils,  he  ^ould 
sava  your  scalp  or  squire  Pirk's !  You're  boys,  both 
on  ye,  and  don't  know  the  natur  of  an  Injun.  But 
I  tall  ye,  Capting  Greyslaer,  aa  I  suppoaa  I  must 


Jrou 
arn 


▲  ROMANO  OV  TBI  MOHAWK. 


Ill 


eail  ye,  it  isnH  fair  and  comely,  it  isn't  treating  me 
in  a  likely  manner,  to  use  sich  hard  words  to  me, 
considerin  its  only  two  days  gone  that  I  let  ye  put 
down  my  name  on  your  muster-paper  there,  as  oka- 
king  myself  a  raal  sodger  under  you ;  I  might  better 
hare  let  the  cause  j^o  to  the  dcTil,  or  have  g[one  and 
taken  service  in  Bradshawe's  battalion  with  wild 
Wolfert  Valtmeyer,  rayther  than  to  be  spoken  to  so 
like  a  dog — I  might.  I  almost  wish  I  was  shut  of 
the  business  of  scSgering  altogether,  if  sich  talk  ai 
that  is  to  be  my  wages.** 

"  If  those  are  your  sentiments,  my  good  fellow,** 
said  Greyslaer,  stopping  short  in  his  walk,  as  the 
two  pursued  a  path  together  a  little  apart  from  th0 
rest  of  the  band,  "  if  you  really  wish  to  side  with 
the  Tories  and  shed  the  blood  of  your  countrymen, 
I  will  strike  your  name  off  this  paper  in  an  instant^ 
and  you  have  full  liberty  to  go  where  you  please.** 
And  Greyslaer  drew  the  mustei^roll  of  his  company 
from  his  bosom,  as  if  about  to  give  his  last  and  most 
valuable  recruit  a  fair  discharge. 

"  Well,  that  beats  natnr ;  that's  raaly  the  worst 
thing,  arter  all.  The  boy  talks  jist  as  if  he  could  get 
along  without  me.  Ah !  ye  green  springald  ye  I  ye 
callow  fledgling !  ye  yearling  that  would  gore  with 

Jrour  horns  yet  in  the  velvet !  ye,  with  yere  bool^ 
arnin,  yere  speechifying,  yere  marchings  and  coun- 
ter-marchings, yere  shoulder-firelocks,  and  yere 
right  foot,  left  foot,  ye'd  make  a  pretty  how-de«^o 
in  times  like  these,  with  only  sicp  a  mad  loon  at 
Squire  Dirk  to  counsel  and  guide  ye !  I  tell  ytt 
what,  Capting  Max  Grayslaer,  Fve  holpen  your  ed« 
ication  in  some  things  that  may  cause  ye  to  make 
a  figure  in  sich  times  as  these,  with  some  one  to 
look  after  ye ;  but,  though  ye  want  now  to  get  shut 
of  me,  as  it  I  was  an  old  granny  of  a  Yankee  school* 
master  dogging  his  urchins  in  the  holydays,  I^m  d — d 


I 


'U 


Kt 


f'    ,  y 


\v 


112 


OmBTILAUi; 


:riij 


lii-li!! 


Fri 


if  I  give  ye  up  till  I'f  e  seen  the  eend  of  ye.  Put 
Ihat  in  yere  pipe  and  smoke  it,  my  laddie !  and  now 
|[o  ahead  as  soon  as  ye  choose,  for  where  your  trail 
u  there  old  Bait  will  follow.** 

**  A  hopeful  subject  I  have  here  for  a  disciplined 
•oldier,**  saidtrreyslaer,  mentally.  Amused,  proro^ 
ked,  and,  at  the  same  time,  touched  by  the  petulant 
freedom  and  stanch  fidelity  of  his  follower,  he  si- 
lently abandoned  the  altercation,  and  pocketing  the 
muster-roll  with  an  emphatic  "  umpn  !**  that  said 
everything  to  Bait,  once  more  pursued  his  way  with 
the  doughty  hunter. 

"  How  do  you  know.  Bait,*'  said  he,  after  they 
had  walked  on  for  some  time  in  silence,  moving 
through  the  forest  as  nearly  as  possible  in  a  paral- 
IjBl  line  with  the  main  body  of  De  Roos*s  band,  from 
which  two  correspondinff  flankers  had  been  thrown 
out  upon  the  opposite  side,  "  how  do  you  know  that 
Valtmeyer  has  taken  up  arms  with  tne  Tories  un- 
der Bradshawe  ?** 

**  How  do  I  know  ?  why  I  had  it  from  Red  Wol- 
fert  himself  only  the  day  before  yesterday,  when  I 
left  you  to  go  and  look  after  farmer  Stickney*s  tall 
sons.  Two  likely  fellows  they  be,  too,  those  boys, 
Syl  and  Marius  Stickney,  though  Bradshawe  has 
got  'em  clean  safe  into  his  following  by  this  time." 

•*  What  do  you  mean  ?" 

"  I  mean  to  say  that  Valtmeyer  beat  me  at  lee- 
tioneering,  that's  all.  I  could  only  promise  the  boys 
liberty  and  equality  of  human  rights  if  they'd  turn 
out  with  our  people,  as  they  promised  they  would 
at  the  hst  trainmg ;"  but  Wolfert  promised  he'd 
bijum  down  their  barn  if  they  did,,  and  he  carried 
the  day  arter  all."  \ 

**  Tne  pitiful  scoundrels !"  exclaimed  the  young 
oflScer,  indignantly. 

<*Yes,  capting,  seeing  as  how  they  promised, 


▲  BOMAirOB  OV  TBI  XOH4WK. 


113 


they  ought  to  have  come,  if  it  was  to  a  den  of  atde- 
•nakei.  But  the  barn  is  full  of  grain,  and  the  old 
man^had  his  say,  for  Wolfert  threatened  to  return 
a  couple  of  horses  on  his  hands  that  he  had  just 
bought  with  some  broad  pieces  for  Bradshawe% 
user 

**  Do  you  think  that  Valtmeyer  would  really  have 
burned  the  barn  ?** 

'^iSar^if^ /and  mayhap  the  housen  too.  He  hales 
a  white  man  like  pisin,  and  has  jined  Bradshawe 
jist  to  work  out  his  grudge  agin  his  own  kind  and 
colour.  He  burn  a  farmer's  Wn  ?  Td  like  to  see 
the  day  of  the  week  when  Red  Wolfert  Valtmeyer 
wouldn't  like  a  pretence  for  doing  of  that." 

**^  And  does  Valtmeyer  think  that  these  two  Stick- 
neys  will  keep  their  faith  more  truly  with  his  peo- 
ple than  they  have  with  ours  T  said  Greyslaer,  not 
incuriously. 

'*  Sarting  they  will,**  replied  Ba]t»  shaking  hit 
head.  *'  I  never  knew  a  Connecticut  chap  yet  but 
what  stuck  to  his  bargain  when  it  was  once  made 
clean  out  and  out;  the  snarl  of  the  thing  is  to  find 
out  what  they  consider  a  raal  bargain  complete. 
I  rayther  mistrust  it's  only  when  they  put  their 
names  riffht  down  in  black  and  white  upon  paper. 
Wolfert,  I  know,  made  them  do  this,  he  seemed  so 
tarnal  sure  of  his  men  for  ever  and  nye.  But  here 
we  are  at  Damond's  run,  and  the  squire  had  better 
order  a  halt,  as  we  must  be  within  half  a  mile  of  the 
Fish-House  clearing." 

In  the  moment  that  Bait  spoke,  a  faint  signal 
from  the  extreme  right,  which  was  repeated  by  De 
Roos  from  the  centre,  reached  the  ears  of  Orey»> 
laer  and  the  flankers  at  once ;  closing  in,  the  whole 
par^  united  upon  the  banks  of  the  rivulet,  at  t 
point  where  it  first  commenced  its  descent  from 
the  upland.    Taking  his  orders  now  from  De  Root, 

K2 


\'   1 


1  1- 


■m^':i. 


♦ 


n 


114 


•BBTUJkBS, 


w 


for,  Greyslaer  wai  only  acting  as  a  volunteer  upon 
the  expedition.  Bait  ascended  a  tall  hemlock  to  re- 
connoitre the  point  to  which  they  were  approaching^, 
and  where  it  was'  presumed  that  Brant  lay  with  his 
followers.  * 

"  How  many  fires  do  they  count  T  cried  De  Roop 
from  the  root  of  the  tree. 

'*  Fires  ?  Devil  the  one!**  muttered  the  scout,  in  a 
tone  of  sullen  surprise  and  chasrin.  "  A  fool's  er- 
irand  weVe  come  upon.  TheyVe  shut  themselves 
up  in  a  block-house  and  stockade  upon  the  banks 
01  the  river,  and  our  niflht*s  bizness  is  done  for." 

*'  Can  we  not  decoy  them  from  their*  defences  V* 
t^ked  Greyslaer,  anxiously ;  "  it  would  be  madness 
to  assault  their  palisades  without  artillery,  arid  it 
would  be  folly  to  wait  until  cannon  can  be  trans- 
pcoted  through  woods  like  these  we  have  traversed 
to-night." 

"  £asy  enough  to  get  some  of  the  critters  out, 
•ad  pepper  'em  for  the  fun  of  it,"  said  Bait ;  **  but 
that  wouldn't  help  us  in  retaking  Miss  Alida.  By 
the  etamal  thunder !  but  there's  some  of  the  var- 
mint now,  pushing  off  in  a  canoe  to  gig  trout  or 
examine  a  nsh-wier,  I  don't  know  which  ;  but  I  see 
by  the  light  of  the  pine  knots  in  the  bow  that  they 
push  along  mighty  slow,  as  if  looking  for  some- 
uiing  at  the  bottom  of  the  stream.  I  have  it,  I  have 
it,  capting ;  I  have  it,  squire ;"  and,  as  if  some  rare 
device  had  struck  him  on  the  instant.  Bait  straight- 
way descended  the  tree.  "  We  can  captivate  those 
chaps  complete,  I  tell  ye,  if  they  only  move  a  Uttle 
lurtlier  down  stream,  where  yon  woody  mound 
■boulders  the  current.  I  know  the  ground  here  all 
to  pieces.  Those  maples,  whose  round  tops  are 
just  now  slicked  up  by  the  moon,  cover  a  thick  un- 
der|rowth  that  wUl  conceal  us  in  creeping  along 


J  >m 


A  ROMAHOJi  OF  THB  MOHAWK. 


115 


the  shore,  and  we  can  cut  off  the  Injans  (roiA  the 
fort  as  soon  as  they  turn  the  pint." 

"  Ay,  but  how  do  you  know  they  will  turn  the 
point  r  said  Greyslaer,  who,  standing  upon  a  rock 
round  which  ^e  runnel  gurgled,  looked  down  the 
defile  through  which  it  travelled  to  the  river,  and 
caught  a  glimpse  of  the  moonlit  landscape  beldw» 

**  Leave  that  to  me,  if  chance  don't  fix  it,**  re- 
plied the  woodsman ;  '*  and  now,  Squire  Dirk,  as  you 
command  here  to-night,  jist  let  old  Bait  oider  the 
position  of  all  of  us  before  we  move  farther.** 

<*  If  you  know  the  ground,  as  you  say  you  do. 
Bait,  yovL  ure  the  proper  person  to  guide  us  in  our 
operations.  I  give  you  full  poweir  to  act,  if  you 
will  only  secure  me  a  chance  of  trying  my  ysger 
upon  the  miscreants.** 

**  Well,  well,  that  shall  be  cared  for,  only  don*t 
bjB  too  headysome,  or  you*ll  spile  all.  I  want  to 
take  the  Redskins  alive,  and  get  some  tidings  about 
Miss  Alida ;  and,  if  one  be.  a  chief,  we  may  ex- 
change him.  We  must  divide  into  three  parties  to 
make  sure  of  our  object ;  I  want  five  of  oi](r  stoutest 
men  to  creep  with  me  to  the  water*8  side,  to  the 
bend  south  ot  the  mound^  where  we  must  secure  the 
canoe-men,  if  anywhere.  You,  squire^  must  throw 
yourself,  with  the  strength  of  the  party,  to  the  north 
side,  so  as  to  c^\  off  the  Injuns  trom  the  fort  with 
your  rifles  if  they  escape  from  our  hands  and  at- 
tempt to  return  to  it.  Captins,  I*m  sorry  I  cannot 
S've  you  more  lively  work  at  the  outset ;  but,  if  the 
ing  comes  to  a  nght,  you  will  have  a  8odger*8 
share  of  it  where  I*m  going  to  place  you.  We  must 
trust  to  your  spunk  and  headwork  in  getting  us  out 
of  the  scrape  if  my  plan  fails ;  and  you  must  take  a 
position,  with  half  a  dozen  men,  where  you  can  see 
what's  going  on,  and  bring  us  off  safely  if  the 
worst  come  to  the  worst ;  and  if  the  fire  of  Squirt 


r« 


3  i>::   . 

#|l 

^k    ,>■ 

w 

qi 

I'  li' 

fii'^" 

Ifl! 

i 


^y. 


116 


obbtilisb;^ 


Dirk's  party  draws  a  sally  from  the  fort,  we  shall 
see  hot  work,  I  tell  ye.  There's  a  ledge  of  bald 
rock  to  the  left  yonder,  that  puts  out  from  the  ridge 
we  are  on,  about  a  hundred  yards  from  this.  Tlwt 
cliff  commands  the  whole  Talley  below,  and  there 
is  a  deer  runway  leading  up  from  the  water-side  to 
its  base.  That  way  lies  our  retreat.  A  half  hour 
hence  the  moon  will  touch  the  cliff,  whose  edge  is 
•till  in  deep  shadow  from  the  hemlock  thicket  that 
covers  it ;  so  you  must  gain  it  at  onft,  and  lie  there 
close  as  a  hunted  opossum  to  a  gray  loff.  If  we 
are  pur?  .ed,  you,  capting,  know  as  weU  as  I  do 
what  follows ;  we'll — ^ 

**  You  will  lure  the  chase  to  the  base  of  the  rock, 
initke  a  detour  to  my  rear,  and  leave  me  to  deal 
with  the  rascals  in  front.  Exactly,  Bait ;  I  compre* 
hend  your  plan  completely ;  and  its  details  are  wor- 
thy of  a  veteran  partisan.'' 

**  I  don't  know  what  sort  of  a  chap  that  may  be ; 
but  if  it  mean  an  old  bushfighter,  there's  no  man  in 
all  Tryon  county,  not  even  Red  Wolfert  himself, 
but  must  knock  under  to  old  Bait  in  expajrrience." 
And,  with  this  harmless  ebullition  of  vanity  on  tlM 
part  of  the  woodsman,  the  council  of  war  was  bro- 
ken up.  The  party  was  divided  agreeably  to  his 
suggestions,  and  the  three  bands  immediately  after- 
ward separated,  and  sped  with  silent  haste  to  their 
different  destinations.  Greyslaer,  havinc  but  a  short 
distance  to  move  with  his  handful  of  followers,  soon 
gained  the  position  indicated  by  Bait ;  and  throw- 
mg  himself  upon  the  ffround,  with  his  feet  hanging 
oyer  the  rocky  ledge,  pe  cast  a  thoughtful  eye  over 
the  sleeping  landscape  below. 

The  moon  was  in  her  last  quarter,  but  the  a^ 
nosphere  was  so  clear  that  her  waning  beates 
Kghted  up  the  scene  with  a  splendour  that  is  rardhr 
witnessed  in  other  climes.    'The  Sacondaga,  whicB 


A  BOMANei  OV  THB  MOHAWK. 


117 


near  this  region,  at  the  present  day,  winds  through 
green  meadows  grazed  by  a  thousand  cattle,  was, 
at  the  time  of  which  we  write,  thickly  wooded 
along  its  banks.  The  luxuriant  foliage  of  primefal 
forests  impended  in  billowy  masses  over  the  de* 
▼ious  water,  which  only  showed  to  Tiew  in  shining 
intenrals,  like  the  broken  links  of  a  sih er  chain. 
A  few  cleared  acres  only,  around  the  Indian  stock- 
ade, let  the  moonlight  down  more  broadly  upon  the 
stream,  where  the  burned  and  blackened  stumps 
stood  grimly  marshalled  along  the  water's  edge,  liKe 
the  dwarfish  opponents  of  the  ffirdled  trees,  whoso 
tall,  stark  stems,  and  jagged  and  yerdureless  array, 
bounded  the  opposite  sides  of  the  clearing.  The 
stockade  itself  lay  a  deformed  and  shapeless  mass 
of  logs  in  the  midst  of  this  desolate  area ;  and  the 
eyes  of  Greyslaer,  as  he  watched  the  twioklipg 
lights  which  ever  and  anon  revealed  the  floating 
canoe  upon  the  river,  reverted  continually  to  this 
sullen  den,  in  which  he  thought  Alida  was  immured. 
He  imaged  to  himself  the  lady  of  his  love  as  look* 
ing  out  with  the  cheerless  spirit  of  a  captive  upon 
the  few  dreary  acres  of  the  Indian  clearing,  which 
could  alone  meet  her  eye  from  her  forest-walled 
prison-yard ;  he  thought  of  her  love  of  nature  and 
exquisite  taste  in  rural  refinement,  as  seekins  vain- 
ly for  solace  in  that  circumscribed,  uncouth,  and 
mutilated  landscape ;  and  then  he  thought — so  idly 
does  the  mind  wander  in  such  a  mood — ^he  thought, 
revertinff  to  the  white  man*s  **  improvements,**  char- 
acterized by  similar  features  to  those  of  the  scene 
before  him,  he  thought  whether  utility  could  not  in 
any  way  work  out  her  ends,  by  some  less  unsight- 
ly and  devastating  process  than  the  ordinary  one  of 
clearing  a  new  country. 

*'  And  must  the  prodigal  soul  of  man,  too,"  said 
be,  mentally,  ''must  the  primal  freshness  of  all 


•i.^' 


lit 


.'■■  !♦  ^i' 


w 


118 


omiTiidiaB 


things  earthly  be  thus  wtttefally  conrerted  to  theif 
finafendi  ?  Muit  the  toil  of  ?irgin  natore  ho  thus 
encambered  with  the  wreck  of  its  beauty,  thus  en- 
riched with  its  own  blasted  luxuriance,  turning 
again  to  earth,  ere  it  gather  strenjrth  to  bear  things 
that  are  truly  precious  ?  Must  &e  wild  heart  of 
youth,  redolent  of  hope  and  high  affections,  moring 
with  each  generous  impulse  like  this  plumy  forest 
to  the  breeie,  must  it  also  give  up  its  first  noble, 
naUDral  growth  of  feelings,  and  become  barren  and 
desolate,  like  yon  blackened  clearing,  before,  like 
that,  it  can  bear  fruits  fit  for  the  best  purposes  of 
soeial  beinff  ?  *  •  *  The  wild  Indian,  too  l  Is  he 
aulsjject  to  the  same  mysterious  law.  or  has  Natme 
a  different  dispensation  for  her  own  immediate  chil* 
dren?  Doth  age  alone  ripen  his  mind,  and  l^ 
gradual  and  kindly  means  steal  from  him  the  pledges 
of  life's  morning  promise,  and  lead  him  to  an  inri- 
ting  graTO  with  youth,  all  glorious,  eternal  youth, 
stiU  Rowing  beyond  its  portals  ?  or  doth  he  too,  like 
us,  ffrow  old  before  his  time,  with  faculties  quick- 
ened by  suffering  and  matured  by  pain  1  Doth  he, 
bewildered  by  conflicting  passions  like  ours,  and 
misled  by  stumbling  reason,  chase  the  phantom 
Hope  where'er  she  leads  ?  or  doth  rather  a  narrow 
but  subtle  instinct  deter  him  firom^  the  Tain  pursuit, 
or  guide  him  with  unerring  finaer  to  fruition  f* 

''But  what  boots  this  vain  dreaming?"  cried  he, 
interrupting  himself  impatiently,  as  a  doud,  at  that 
moment  obscuring  the  moon,  snatched  the  scene 
which  had  awakened  these  reflections  from  his 
Tiew.  "What  matters  it  that  our  scheme  of  ex- 
istence should  be  as  rain  and  uncertain  as  the  land- 
scape that  but  now  glimmered  below  me,  Whdn 
death,  like  yon  cloud,  may  come  at  any  moment 
and  <^scure  it  for  eTer!** 

As  the  last  thought  passed  through  the  mind  oi 


*'■ 


A  ROMANCB  OV  TBB  MOHAWK. 


119 


6reyslaeT»  and  even  before  language  could  hare 
gifen  it  shape  and  utterance,  it  seemed  as  if  the 
chilhng  image  of  death  had  but  presented  itself  as 
the  precursor  of  the  reality.  A  sharp,  stunning  blow, 
that  came  with  such  force,  alancing  along  his  ribs, 
as  to  turn  his  bod]|r  completeljr  round,  drew  a  sudden 
exclamation  of  pain  and  surprise  from  him.  "  Hah ! 
God  of  Hea?en,  what's  that  !*'  he  cried,  clapping 
his  hand  to  the  wound  as  he  rolled  over  upon  the 
rock,  struggling  to  gain  his  feet.  But  the  effort 
was  vain,  ile  oecame  dizzy  on  the  moment.  He 
tried  to  shout  to  his  comrades,  but  the  voice  seemed 
drowned  in  other  sounds.  A  fearful  yell,  that  rung 
confusedly  in  his  ears,  like  the  spirit  call  from  an- 
other world,  swallowed  up  the  feeble  cry.  But  still 
he  seemed  not  dead,  for  a  strange  sensation,  like 
that  of  falling  into  a  fathomless  depth,  yet  called 
out  the  exercise  of  volition.  His  hands  groped 
about  as  if  clutching  at  something  to  hold  on  oy, 
and  then  he  lay  in  utter  unconsciousness,  with  the 
cdd  moonlight  streaming  on  his  motionless  form. 


"A 


ti: 


:l' 


rk 


* 


120 


CHAPTER  XI. 

THB  HVMTnt*  AMBUfCADl. 

**  Anin  upon  the  gniM  thej  droop, 
Wnen  bunt  the  well-known  whoop  on  whoop ; 
And  bounding  firom  the  emboeh'd  gloom, 
Like  wolves  we  Mvage  warrion  eome." 

Stbiit. 

Thi  plant  of  the  hunter  Bait,  when  he  wai  per- 
mitted to  arrange  the  movementa  of  hia  party  for 
the  night,  were  well  laid  in  etery  respect  saTO 
one  I  the  omiaaion,  on  the  part  of  De  Rooa  and  hia 
foreat  connaellor,  to  keep  up  a  communication  with 
Greyalaer,  either  by  meaaengera  or  aignala,  to  be 
aTaUable  in  caae  they  met  with  any  obatacle  to  the 
conanmmation  of  their  deaign.  The^unfortunate  ia- 
ane  of  the  ambuacade  was  mainly  <  attributable  to 
thia  OTeTaiffht.  "  The  attempt,'*  they  aroued,  "muat 
either  be  fully  successful,  wnen  we  shul  rejoin  our 
comrades  without  molestation,  or,  if  we  are  inter- 
rupted by  a  aally  from  the  fort  or  other  untoward 
occunence,  the  report  of  our  firearms  will  soon 
show  Greyslaer  how  things  are  going."  In  guerilla 
warfare,  however,  so  much  often  depends  upon  an 
inatantaneoua  chanse  of  the  mode  in  which  you 
would  effect  your  design  when  carrying  any  glTon 
piece  of  stratagie  into  execution,  that  the  most  per- 
fect concert  of  action  ahould  be  obsenred  if.  you 
would  avail  yourself  of  their  flexile  councils  with- 
out endangermg  your  brother  partisans. 

The  two  parties,  led  severally  by  Bait  and  De 
Rooa,  gaining  the  bottom  of  the  hill  upon  which 


I » 


A  BOIIAHOI  OV  THI  MORAWX. 


lit 


they  hid  left  the  ilUitarred  GrejiUor,  itpented 
near  the  bate  of  the  promontory  oefore  deacribed, 
and  betook  tbemaelfea  to  iheir  appointed  atationa. 
De  Rooa  poated  himielf,  with  hia  men,  in  a  iwamp 
that  fringed  a  little  bay  a  few  hundred  yarda  below 
the  Indian  atockade,  from  which  it  waa  di? ided  by 
the  river,  which  waa  here  about  a  rifle-ahot  in 
breadth.  The  promontory  extended  out  into  the 
Btream  upon  hia  right,  aiid  the  canoe,  which  waa 
the  object  of  attack,  waa  just  tumins  thia  headland 
u  he  reached  hia  poaition,  and  miffht  be  aaid  to  be 
thua  already  cut  off  from  the  fort  haid  he  dared  to  fire 
upon  her.  But  Bait,  who  gained  the  ahore,  amid 
taifgled  finea  and  thicketa  of  elder,  upon  the  lower 
aide  of  the  promontory,  awaited  there  hia  opportunity 
to  aeize  the  fishermen  in  a  more  peaceable  manner. 

Placing  hia  followers  in  a  copae  near  the  mouth 
of  the  brook  already  mentioned,  he  proceeded  cao- 
tioualy  to  a  clump  of  cheatnuta  near,  and  aelecting 
one  fit  for  hiapurpoae,  he  cut  off  a  atick  about  two 
feet  in  length  from  a  green  sapling,  and,  after  rollinff 
it  between  his  palma  for  a  few  momenta,  aucceeded 
in  drawing  out  the  woody  part  from  ita  berk  caaina, 
forming  wua  from  the  latter  a  hollow  tube,  whidi 
might  answer  the  purpose  of  a  apeaking-trumpet. 
Placinff  one  end  of  thia  to  his  mouth,  and  benoing 
hia  body  so  aa  to  bring  the  other  within  an  inch  m 
the  ground,  and  partly  to  amother  the  aound  he  in- 
tended to  produce  from  the  instrument,  he  drew 
from  it  a  deep  diacordant  noise,  not  unlike  the  die* 
tant  roaring  ot  a  bull.  The  call  almost  immediately 
brought  a  reply,  both  from  the  hill-side  and  from  the 
water.  From  the  hills  it  came  back  in  a  wild  bel* 
lowing,  that  waa  evidently  that  of  a  real  animal  an* 
awering  a  beaat  of  its  own  kind.  Upon  the  water  it 
was  replied  toby  the  Indiana,  who,  equally  deceived 
by  aounda  that  seemed  to  indicate  their  vicimty  to  « 

Vol.  L— L 


I" 

r 


^i 


f 


*r 


122 


OBBT8LABR : 


m 


moose'cleer  buck,  or  bull  moose  as  our  hunters  call 
it,  attempted,  by  putting  their  closed  fists  to  their 
mouths,  to  mimic  the  cry  and  lure  the  animal  to  the 
water-side,  where  the  torches  in  the  bow  of  the 
ihallop  would  enable  them  to  fix  the  buck  at  gaze, 
and  to  approach  sufficiently  near  to  destroy  him 
with  their  fishing-spears. 

Guiding  their  birchen  vessel  now  into  an  eddy 
of  the  stream  by  a  scarcely  perceptible  motion  of 
the  paddle,  they  approached  with  care  the  spot 
where  Bait  and  his  comrades  lay.  But  the  next 
moment,  exchanging  some  words  with  each  other 
in  a  low  tone,  which  made  them  inaudible  to  those 
on  shore,  the  steersman  gave  a  fiirt  of  his  paddle, 
and  the  light  bark  swung  round  again  to  the  centre 
of  the  stream.  Here  the  Indians  paused,  as  if  lis- 
tening intently;  and  the  wary  Bait,  fearing,  now  that 
their  attention  was  fully  awakened,  to  repeat  the 
same  lure,  which  might  fail  to  deceive  them  when 
•o  near,  resorted  to  another  less  easy  of  detection. 

He  took  a  cup  from  his  hunting-pouch,  and,  stoop- 
ing down  to  the  brook,  dipped  up  the  water  and  let 
it  fall  again  into  the  current,  to  imitate  the  plashing 
footsteps  of  an  animal  stalking  along  the  bed  of  the 
itream.  The  Indians  had  drawn  out  toward  the 
channel  of  the  river,  in  order  to  give  the  supposed 
moose  a  wide  berth  between  themselves  and  the 
«hore,  where,  as  he  waded  out  to  lave  his  flanks,  ac- 
cording to  the  custom  of  the  animal  at  this  season, 
they  would  hold  him  to  advantage  in  the  deep  wa- 
ter. But  as  the  plashing  sounds  which  they  had 
just  heard  grew  fainter,  as  if  the  moose  were  reti- 
ring from  the  river  side,  they  abandoned  this  expec- 
tation, and,  mimicking  his  bellowing  cry  once  more, 
they  gave  the  canoe  a  direction  toward  the  cove, 
and  glided  silently  into  the  mouth  of  the  brook. 
Their  glaring  torches  shone  double  upoti  its  shallow 


A  ROMANCB  OV  THB  MOBAWK. 


128 


,#-.■'■•■  ^1 


and  pebbly  bottom,  and  lighted  up  the  overhanging 
thicket  with  a  ruddy  glare. 

**  Captur,  but  slay  not !"  cried  Bait,  leaping  into 
the  frail  shallop  with  a  force  that  drove  his  feet 
through  the  flimsy  bottom  and  anchored  it  to  the 
spot,  at  the  same  moment  that  an  Indian  in  the  bpw 
was  vainly  attempting,  with  his  long  spear,  to  push 
back  into  the  parent  stream.  A  blow  from  the  hatch- 
et of  the  woodsman  snapped  the  shaft,  leavins  the 
barbed  end  quivering  in  the  bank,  and  the  other  a 
harmless  weapon  in  the  hands  of  the  Indian,  who 
was  instantly  secured  by  his  opponent.  Not  so^ 
however,  with  his  two  comrades ;  one  of  those,  who 
held  the  steering-paddle,  threw  himself  backward 
over  the  stern,  floundered  with  mad  desperation 
through  the  shallow  water,  and,  diving  like  a  duck 
the  moment  he  attained  that  deep  enough  for  swim- 
ming, struck  out  for  the  opposite  side  of  the  river, 
which  he  gained  in  safety.  The  remaining  Indian 
was  not  less  successful  in  his  attempt  to  escape. 
This  man,  a  warrior  of  powerful  frame  and  great 
prowess,  deeming  himself  surrounded,  leaped  Irom 
the  canoe  at  the  first  alarm,  and  charged  into  the 
midst  of  his  enemies ;  grasping  his  fishing-spear  by 
the  middle,  so  as,  at  the  same  time,  to  protect  hii 
person  and  prevent  the  long  shaft  from  becoming 
entangled  in  the  underwood,  he  levelled  a  yeoman 
with  a  blow  from  either  end  at  the  first  onset,  and, 
seizing  a  rifle  from  one  of  the  men  as  they  fell, 
bounded  ofl",  unharmed,  into  the  forest. 

"  Old  Josey  himself,  by  the  Etarnal !  there's  no 
Injun  breathing  but  he  could  have  done  that,"  cried 
Bait ;  "  we  have  let  the  head-devil  of  them  all,  boys, 
slip  throuffh  our  fingers,  and  we  shall  have  the  hull 
kennel  of  Hell-hounds  let  loose  upon  us  in  an  instant. 
We  must  lose  no  time  in  crossing  from  these  parts, 
or  our  scalps  will  fly  oS  like  thistle-down ;  we  must 


^f^. 


<.  '14 


■4l! 


I 

■  -^0 


•>:  M 


IM 


OBn-SLABR; 


I!  i:? ' 


make  a  divanioD,  too,  or  we'll  loae  our  prisoner." 
And,  binding  the  hands  of  bis  only  captive  with  ft 
lendril  of  grapOTine,  the  hunter  hastily  consigned  him 
to  the  care  of  his  comrades,  and  told  them  to  more 
down  along  the  banks  of  the  riyer  as  rapidly  as  pos- 
■ible,  without  attempting  to  regain  ihe  place  first 
designated  as  a  rendezvous.  With  these  hurried 
directions,  Bait  sprang  forward  to  give  in  person  the 
necessary  wamine  to  De  Roos,  whom  he  met  mid* 
way,  hurryinff  witn  his  men  to  join  him. 

'*  Turn,  But,  turn,  or  the  dogs  will  be  on  our  trail 
in  a  moment;  Fve  seen  a  dripping  savage  emer|^ 
like  a  musquash  from  toe  water  on  the  opposite 
iide,  where  a  dozen  canoes  are  drawn  up  before  the 
•tation,  and  we  must  put  the  rapids  between  them 
And  our  party  as  quickly  as  possible.'* 

"  Whatj  risk  our  only  prisoner,  squire  ?  when  I've 
jent  my  men  that  way  with  liim,  hoping  that  we 
eeukl  lead  off  the  pursuit  toward  the  cliff,  wlieie 
the  capting  awaits  us." 

'*  It  will  never  do,"  said  De  Roos,  still  keeping 
his  party  in  motion ;  "  Greyslaer  will  get  sufficient 
mrarning  to  retire  in  time,  seeing  the  movements 
•round  the  fort ;  and  as  for  our  joining  him,  it  is  too 
late.  My  men  have  already  seen  one  armed  Indian 
•kulkin^  between  them  and  the  hill,  and  we  may 
be  at  this  moment  surrounded  by  a  hundred." 

As  these  words  passed  hurriedly  between  the 
commander  of  the  expedition  and  his  unlucky  adv^ 
ser,  Bait,  who  had  for  the  moment  allowed  his  course 
to  be  turned,  and  hin^self  borne  along  with  the  rapid 
march  of  his  comrades,  stopped  short,  exclaiming, 
"  On,  then ;  on.  Squire  Dirk ;  you  may  have  chan- 

fed  our  plans  for  the  better,  and  the  capting,  may- 
ap,  would  consider  your  retreat  sodger-like,  seeing 
so  many  lives  are  at  stake ;  but  I  cannot  leave  him 


A  ROM AN^B  OF  THB  MOHAWK. 


125 


.r:,  : 


to  take  his  chance  of  first  hearing  of  it  from  the  In- 
juns thennselves.'* 

With  these  words,  only  the  first  of  which  were 
heard  by  De  Roos,  Bah  broke  away  from  his  com- 
rades, and  ran  back  until  he  reached  the  brook  which 
the  retreating  party  had  crossed  a  few  moments  be- 
fore ;  turning  then,  and  following  up  its  current  as 
the  readiest  highway  that  offered,  amid  the  heavy 
forests  through  whose  glooms  its  course  occasion- 
ally made  an  opening  toward  the  moonlit  sky. 

"  Tarnal  crittur !  she's  hid  her  vixen  face,  he  ex- 
claimed, as,  looking  upward  through  one  of  these 
openings,  he  saw  that  the  planet  was  obscured. 
"Shine  out,  old  lily-white,  shine  out,  for  shame, 
upon  the  Redskins,  or  they'll  cross  the  river  and  be 
upon  the  captine  afore  I  can  stir  his  kiver." 

The  prayer  of  the  woodsman  was  quickly  answer- 
ed. The  moon,  indeed,  shone  out  but  too  soon,  for 
the  ^harp  crack  of  a  rifle,  followed  by  the  war- 
whoop,  and  answered  by  a  brief  and  irregular  dis- 
charge of  firearms,  showed  that  her  reappearance, 
instead  of  being  the  harbinger  of  safety,  had  been 
but  the  signal  for  onslaught.  Rushing  forward,  the 
hunter  gained  the  top  of  the  hilly  ridge  whereon  he 
had  left  Greyslaer,  and  was  moving  with  hasty  but 
cautious  steps  toward  the  shelf  of  rocks  where  that 
luckless  officer  had  taken  post  with  his  party. 

'*The  capting,  the  capting,  what  have  ye  done 
with  the  capting  ?"  cried  Bah,  as  he  met  Greyslaer's 
men  in  full  flight  from  the  spot. 

**  Run,  Bait ;  for  your  life,  run ;  it  is  all  up  with 
Captain  Max !  a  rifle  from  the  woods,  below  the  cliff, 
picked  him  off  the  very  moment  the  moon  got  hiffh 
enough  to  bringhis  body  out  of  shadow.  The  woods 
are  alive  with  Redskins,  and  our  legs  must  save  us 
now  if  we  would  live  to  avenge  him.'' 

An  incessant  whooping,  that  each  moment  came 

L2 


.^mn 


■■a 


f; » 


126 


OKBT8LAXX  : 


IliUlrtil 


dii 


iiii 


lliiil' 


'Vifi: 


nearer  and  nearer,  seemed  to  proTe  the  truth  of  what 
the  man  said ;  and  with  a  light  heel  but  a  heafr 
heart,  the  sorrowing  woodsman  turned  and  fled  with 
the  rest;  muttering  imprecations  on  himself  the 
while  for  having  left  for  a  moment,  amid  such 
scenes,  his  commander,  friend,  and  protege. 

De  Roos,  in  the  mean  time,  hurrying  along  with 
his  prisoner,  followed  the  course  of  the  Sacondaga, 
which  here  runs  in  a  northeast  direction  for  a  few 
miles,  and  then,  leaving  it  abruptly,  struck  due  south, 
making  for  the  nearest  settlements  upon  the  Mo- 
hawk. The  approach  of  morning  found  his  party 
in  the  neighbourhood  of  Gal  way ;  and  crossing  the 
highway,  or  trail  as  it  might  rather  be  called  at  that 
day,  between  Saratoga  and  Johnstown,  he  made  a 
sweep  to  the  south  of  the  latter  place,  and,  striking 
due  west,  passed  Stone  Arabia,  famous  afterward 
for  the  gallant  fight  and  subsequent  slaughter  of  the 
brave  Colonel  Brown  and  his  regiment,  reached  the 
Mohawk  at  Keeder's  Rifts,  equally  noted  in  the 
border-story  of  after  years.  The  retreat,  consider- 
ing that  De  Roos  had  not  only  to  escape  from  his 
,  Indian  foes  in  the  first  instance,  but  that  he  carried 
lys  prisoner  throush  a  district,  the  great  portion  of 
whose  scattered  inhabitants  were  as  yet  either  luke- 
warm patriots  or  zealous  adherents  of  the  Johnson 
IMirty,  was  creditable  to  his  address  as  a  partisan. 

Worn  down  with  fatigue  and  long  watching. 
Derrick  and  his  companions  were  rejoiced  to  fiml 
shelter  and  refreshment  in  the  hospitable  mansion 
of  Maior  Jelles  Fonda,  a  faithful  officer  and  confi- 
inntial  friend  of  the  father  of  Sir  John  Johnson,  but 
#ho,  having  now  sided  wiih  the  patriot  party,  was 
exposed  to  the  vengeance  of  the  royalists.  Which 
was  afterward  so  terribly  wreaked  upon  his  house- 
hold by  the  devastating  hand  of  Ihe  tteni  and  inex.-^ 
fliable  ton  of  his  ih«Bd» 


A.  BOMAlfOB  OF  TOM  MOHAWK. 


127 


The  Mohawk  captive,  during  the  route,  had  borne 
himself  with  dogged  indifference  to  his  fate,  obsti- 
nately refusing  to  answer  any  of  the  questions  with 
which  De  Roos,  who  spoke  his  language,  plied  him, 
whenever  occasion  offered,  during  a  brief  halt  of  his 
party.  Refreshments  were  now  placed  before  him, 
but  he  refused  to  partake  of  them,  replyir^g  only  to 
the  repeated  invitations  of  his  captors  by  glancing, 
with  a  look  of  mute  indignation,  from  their  faces  to 
the  bonds  by  which  his  right  arm  was  still  pinioned, 
the  left  having  been  temporarily  released  to  enable 
him  to  feed  himself.  This  silent  appeal,  however, 
produced  no  effect  upon  his  wary  captors. 

'*  If  the  scoundrel  is  too  proud  to  help,  himself 
with  one  hand,  let  us  see  if  fasting  woVt  bring  hu- 
mility with  it,**  said  one. 

"  The  cunning  cat !  he  only  wants  to  get  his  claws 
free  to  use  Uiem,**  cried  another ;  "  but  he  can*t  come 
the  mouser  over  us  with  his  mock  dignity.** 

De  Roos,  who  had  been  looking  at  the  accommo- 
dations of  hia  party  for  the  night,  at  this  moment 
entered  the  room,  and  ordered  a  guard  of  three  men 
to  repair  with  the  prisoner  to  the  kitchen,  which  was 
assigned  them  as  their  quarters.  He  at  the  same 
time  handed  the  Indian  a  blanket,  wherewith  one 
of  the  females  of  the  family  had  provided  him,  and, 
for  the  first  time  since  his  capture,  a  gleam  of  pleas- 
ure shot  athwart  the  dusky  features  of  the  Mohawk 
as  he  stretched  out  his  left  hand  to  receive  the  boon. 
Indeed,  he  folded  it  about  his  person  with  as  much 
care  as  if  he  took  pride  as  well  as  comfort  in  his 
pew  acquisition  ;  nor  bad  he  completely  adjusted  its 
folds  to  his  satisfaction,  before  a  corner  of  his  new 
mantle  had  more  than  once  swept  the  edge  of  the 
table,  as  he  brushed  along  its  sides,  while  making 
his  way  out  <rf  the  apartment. 

The  kitchen  was  not  entirely  vacant  when  the 


.xt\ 


H:'. 


W^M■i^ 


11     . 


li  I 


s 


111'!! 


Si!     I! 


HI 


Mil     I  I 

ill!,  ill 


ijjjj  ij 
111 


im 


OBBYSLASII ; 


prisoner  and  his  guard  reached  their  quarters.  For, 
besides  several  negro  slaves,  which  at  that  time  form- 
ed an  essential  part  of  the  household  of  every  opu- 
lent farmer  in  the  country,  there  sat  in  the  chimney- 
corner  a  shabby'Iooking  wayfarer,  who,  in  those 
days  of  infrequent  inns  and  open  hospitality,  had 
been  allowed  a  stall  for  his  horse  and  a  shelter  for 
himself  during  the  night. 

The  dress  of  this  man,  which  was  a  sort  of  greasy 
doublet,  or  fustian  shooting-jacket,  of  dingy  olive, 
with  breeches  of  the  same ;  shoes  without  buckles, 
and  a  broad-leaved  chip  hat,  having  a  broken  pipe 
stuck  beneath  the  band,  marked  him  sufficiently  as 
belonging  to  the  lower  order  of  society.  For,  while 
amonff  our  wise  fathers  a  man's  apparel  was  always 
thought  more  or  less  to  indicate  his  social  position, 
a  traveller's  especially,  who  presume^  to  take  the 
saddle  without  being  either  booted  or  spttrred,  would 
be  set  down  as  near  akin  to  a  beggar,  who  had  his 
horse  only  for  some  chance  hour.  Some,  however, 
beneath  the  neglected  beard  and  generally  sordid 
appearance  of  this  wayfaring  horseman,  might  have 
detected  features  which,  if  not  those  of  a  true  cav- 
alier, belonged  at  least  to  the  class  which  was  then 
generally  supposed  exclusively  to  furnish  such  a 
character,  liie  man's  look  was  sinister,  if  not  de- 
cidedly bad ;  but  there  was  a  degree  of  haughtiness 
mingled  with  his  duplicity  of  expression,  and  the  in- 
telligent and  assured  air  of  his  countenance  was  far 
above  the  rank  which  his  coarse  habiliments  would 
indicate.  He  started  as  the  Indian  entered  the 
apartment ;  and  as  the  name  "  Au-neh-yesh !"  es- 
caped his  lips,  the  emotion  seemed  for  the  instant 
to  be  sympathetic  with  the  prisoner.  It  was  so 
slight,  however,  upon  the  part  of  the  Mohawk  as 
not  to  attract  observation.  He  moved  at  once  to- 
ward the  kitchen  fire,  and,  though  it  was  a  sum- 


f. 


% 


m 


•/'I 


A  B01IA1I08  OF  TBI 


MOHAWK. 


in 


ra.  For, 
ne  form* 
ery  opu- 
ihimney- 
in  those 
ility,  had 
elter  for 


if  greasy 
gy  olive, 
buckles, 
ien  pipe 
iently  as 
or,  while 
,8  always 
positioD, 
take  the 
id,  would 

had  his 
[lowever, 
ly  sordid 
ght  have 
true  cav- 
VM  then 

such  a 
'  not  de- 
lehtiness 
d  the  in- 
I  was  far 
ts  would 
Bred  the 
sh  r  es- 

instant 

was  so 
lawk  as 
once  to- 

a  sum- 


mei's  night,  threw  himself  on  the  floor  with  his  feet 
toward  the  ashes,  and,  coTering  np  his  head  in  hit 
blanket,  seemed  soon  to  be  forgetting  the  scares  of 
captivity  in  soothing  slumber. 

Two  of  the  iBen  to  whose  custody  the  prisoner 
had  been  consigned  soon  afterward  imiutea  his  ex* 
ample,  and  stretched  themselves  upon  a  flock-bed 
in  a  corner  of  the  apartment,  while  the  third  paced 
up  and  down  the  room,  to  keep  himself  awake  while 
acting  as  sentinel  over  the  prisoner.  The  slavee^ 
with  tHe  exception  of  a  single  old  negro,  had  all 
slunk  away,  one  could  hardly  tell  how;  and  this 
worthy,  with  the  sinister-looking  traveller,  were  left 
as  the  only  waking  companions  of  the  sentiAcl.  Th^ 
traveller,  too,  at  last,  after  ruminatine  in  a  drowvy 
fashion  for  some  time,  expressed  his  intention  of 
eeeking  a  bed  in  the  haymow,  and,  procuring  a  sta* 
ble-lantern  from  the  negro  to  look  after  his  horse  ia 
the  first  instance,  withdrew  from  the  apartment.  In 
passing  through  the  door^  he  fixed  his  eyes  earnestly 
upon  ihe  sleeping  Indian,  and  his  face  being  thus 
averted  from  the  passage-way*  be  stumbled  awfek 
wardly,  so  as  to  make  his  tin  lantern  dang  against 
the  lintel  so  sharply  as  to  startle  both  the  sentrt 
and  his  prisoner,  though  the  slight  movement  which 
the  latter  made  beneath  his  blanket  was  not  obsery>- 
ed  by  the  soldier,  who  turned  to  close  the  door  be- 
hind the  retreating  traveller. 

**  What  tink  you  of  dat  trabeller-man,  massa  V* 
■aid  the  old  negro,  with  a  knowing  look,  as  soon  at 
he  heard  the  outer  door  closed  after  the  other. 

"  Think  of  him  ?  why  I  don't  think  of  him  at  all, 
Cu£f ;  that  sleeping  hound  by  the  fire  is  enough  for 
me  to  trouble  myself  about,  after  trampoosing  for 
twenty-four  hours  on  a  stretch,  with  not  even  a 
loon's  nap  at  the  eend  of  it.'* 

'^Trabeller-man  hab  mighty  fine  boss,  massa! 


I'      ,'*" 


■i';'- 


M      t' 


# 


180 


OKBTtlULBE  I 


fm    I 


•  \ 


Him  look  at  like  ai  two  peas  to  de  hoti  datWolf 
Vahmeyer  bought  last  week  for  Maita  Bradiihawe» 
and  drew  to  nere^  mighty  like  dat  same  hoss, 
massa.'' 

**  Well,  what  of  that  ?  you  don*t  take  the  chap  for 
a  horsO'thief,  do  you  ?  He's  more  like  some  tra?- 
elling  cobbler,  that's  going  his  circuit  through  the 
settlements." 

**  He  be  bery  like  a  cobbler,  certing,*'  said  the 
complaisant  neero ;  and  then,  after  musing  a  few 
moments,  added,  **  He  be  bery  like  lawyer  Wat 
Bradshawe  too,  massa." 

'  I  never  saw  that  rip,  Cuff,  though,  if  the  trarel- 
ler  has  heard  as  much  of  him  as  I  have,  he  wouldn't 
be  beholden  to  you  for  discovering  the  likeness." 

"  Lawyer  Wat  has  shaked  hands  wid  de  debbil, 
certmg  I"  said  the  negro,  shaking  his  head  myste- 
riously. 

"Why  do  you  say  that.  Cuff?" 
^   "'Cause  he  no  fear  de  debbil." 

"  Why,  what  the  devil  do  you  know  about  him, 
you  old  curmudseon  V* 

"  Hab  not  old  black  Violet  told  me  of  his  doings 
long  ago,  when  he  was  but  a  boy  ?  Let  Cuff  alone 
to  find  out  de  secret ;  he  know  all  about  Massa 
Bradshawe,  and  he  know  how  to  keep  de  secret  too." 

"  Now,  Cuff,"  said  the  soldier,  stopping  short  in 
the  middle  of  the  room,  "  you  see  that  Injun  there ! 
Well,  he's  a  raal  Injun  juggler,  and,  unless  you  tell 
me  instantly  your  secret,  as  you  call  it,i'll  stir  up 
that  fellow  with  the  butt  end  of  my  rifle,  and  he 
shall  fill  this  room  with  fiery  sarpents  in  a  moment." 

The  poor  superstitious  negro  recoiled  with  hor- 
ror at  this  alarming  threat.  He  had  all  the  awe  of 
his  race  for  the  red  man,  who,  having  never  been 
reduced  to  subservience  by  the  white,  is  regard- 
ed by  the  docile  African  partly  as  a  wayward, 


-pa,^_ — _.. 


m 


A  ROMANO!  OV  TBI  MOHAWK. 


181 


wicked,  and  disobedient  child,  who  refaMi  to  b« 
guided  by  those  who  have  a  natural  riffht  to  author- 
ity, and  partly  as  a  hybrid,  heathenish  mortal,  in 
Whose  paternity  the  devil  has  so  lar^e  a  share  that 
the  Indian  is  unfitted  to  take  a  part  in  the  ordinary 
lot  of  nnankind. 

"  Why  you  see,  massa,"  said  he,  beginning  at 
once,  vvith  trennbling  lips,  to  tell  his  story,  ''itwas 
when  old,  Dinah,  the  black  witch,  that  perhaps  you 
have  heerd  tell  on,  was  living.  She  used  some- 
times, of  a  winter's  night,  to  be  let  in  at  de  house  of 
Massa  Walter's  papa,  where  she  slept  by  de  kitch- 
en fire,  but  always  went  up  de  chimbley  on  a  broom- 
stick before  de  morning.  Violet  herself  say — and 
Violet  live  at  de  house  for  many  years^-Violet  say 
she  often  let  Dinah  in,  but  she  nebber  in  her  lite 
see  her  go  out,  'cept  one  morning,  and  den  she  went 
out  a  corpse ;  and  she  die  wid  pains  and  aches,  oh 
horrible  !  so  Violet  say — " 

"The  devil  take  Violet;  out  with  your  story; 
what  had  Wat  Bradshawe  to  do  with  the  business  V* 
cried  the  impatient  soldier,  thinking  matter  might 
be  forthcoming  horn  this  kitchen  gossip  that  would 
reward  him  by  adding  something  worth  repeating 
to  the  many  strange  stories  that  were  told  of  Brad- 
shawe throughout  the  country. 
<"What  Massa  Walter  do?"  exclaimed  the  ne- 
gro, lowering  his  voice;  "why,  who  but  he  dat 
kill  de  old  woman !  Massa  Wat,  he  watch  Dinah 
go  up  de  chimbley,  he  see  dat  de  black  witch  al? 
ways  slip  off  her  skin,  and  hang  it  up  behind  de 
pantry-door  before  she  go  up.  So  he  watch  him 
chance,  like  a  mad  boy  he  was  ;  he  go  to  de  dress- 
er, take  de  casters,  put  pepper,  mustard,  and  plenty 
calt  on  de  skin ;  him  chuckle,  laugh,  say  *  he  make 
de  debbil  ob  de  old  woman.'  Well,  de  witch  come 
back,  slip  into  her  skin,  she  kick,  she  holler,  she 


>; 


'#  ■] 


0t 


«»» 


#' 


18t 


611  down  in  fit,  and  f 0  she  die,  and  dat  de  end  ob 
MiMV  Dinah." 

»  Why— you— tar— nal— old— black— fool !"  laid 
the  soldier,  with  a  ludicrously  indignant  expression 
of  baffled  curiosity.  "  You — ^you — ^you  jackass— 
you.  Tve  more  than  a  mind  to  stir  up  this  Injun 
juggler,  to  show  what  raal  deviltry  is,  Cuff,  for  ma- 
lunff,  me  listen  to  such  heathen  stuff  as  that.*' 

As  the  soldier  spoke,  he  advanced  so  near  to  the 
sleeping  Mohawk  as  to  strike  him  ^  with  his  foot 
while  heedlessly  throwing  it  out  to  annoy  the  ap* 
prehensive  negro.  He  had  better  h^e  alarmed  ^ 
coiled  rattlesnake.  For  a  knife,  ai  deadly  as  the 
fanffs  of  a  serpent,  was  the  next  moment  plunged 
in  his  bosom  as  the  captive  leaped  upon  him.  A 
window  was  thrown  wide  open  by  some  unseen 
hand  in  the  same  moment  The  negro  stood  speech* 
less  with  horror ;  and,  before  the  slumbering  com* 
rades  of  the  unfortunate  sentinel  could  rouse  to 
avenge  him,  his  scalp  was  filched  from  his  head 
by  the  carving-knife  which  the  Indian  had  secured 
beneath  his  blanket  while  brushing  past  the  supper* 
table.  He  shook  his  gory  trophy  m  the  affrighted 
eves  of  his  half-awakened  foemen,  and  bounded 
like  a  deer  through  the  window. 

In  the  morning  there  were  no  traces  to  be  found 
either  of  the  young  savage  or  the  auspicious-look* 
ing  itinerant. 


"li  1 


rr 


n 


A  mOMANOB  or  Tn  MOHAWK. 


183 


CHAPTER  XII. 

THB  IjKtlkS  LIBOH. 

"  Thus  •nor*!  monatrovt  shapM  from  earth  w  drivMi ;  "* ' 

Thvf  fiide,  th«nr  fly— -bat  troth  mrmM  their  flight ; 

Earth  haa  no  ahades  te  qneneh  that  beam  of  hoaren ; 

Eaeh  raj  that  ahone,  ia  early  time,  to  light 

The  faltering  footatepa  in  the  path  of  rignt, 

Eaeh  gleam  of  clearer  brightneaa,  ahed  to  aid 

Kb  man'e  matorer  day  hia  holder  aijiht, 

All  blended,  Uke  the  rainbow'a  radiant  braid, 
Pour  yet,  and  atill  ahall  pour,  the  blase  that  cannot  fiide." 

Bbtamv. 

Thi  wound  of  Oreytlaer  had  been  given  pre- 
cisely in  the  manner  described  by  the  panic*straok 
fugitiTO,  though  both  he  and  De  Roos  were  mista« 
ken  in  thinkins  that  their  party  was  surrounded.  A 
larse  body  6f  Indians  had  indeed  crossed  the  rtrer, 
under  the  shelter  of  the  cape  or  headland,  during 
the  few  moments  that  the  moon  was  obscured ;  but 
this  was  after  De  Roos  was  in  full  retreat :  and  the 
**  skulkioff  savage"  who  had  so  alarmed  his  follow- 
#rs,  as  well  as  the  sharpshooter  who  had  subsequent- 
ly picked  oft  Greyslaer,  and  struck  a  panic  into  his 
party  in  turn,  was  no  other  than  the  single  despe- 
rado who  had  so  gallantly  achieved  his  escape  firom 
the  canoe.  This  formiaable  warrior — ^for,  as  Bait 
surmised,  it  was  no  other  than  **  old  Josey,"  or 
Thayendanagea  himself — was  aided  by  fortune,  not 
less  than  by  his  own  address,  in  escaping  the  per- 
ils of  the  night.  Foiling  by  his  prowess  the  am- 
bushed foes  that  attempted  to  seize  him,  he  had,  in 
the  first  instance,  after  breaking  from  their  hands, 
struck  directly  across  the  neck  of  the  promontory 

Vol.  I.— M 


'mti 


I  li' 


184 


ORBTf  LABB ; 


u  the  Bhoneit  way  to  the  itation.  He  had  nearly 
gained  the  little  bay  on  this  aide,  where  he  would 
take  the  water  to  iwim  to  the  opposite  shore,  when, 
discorering  the  position  of  De  Roos*s  band  by 
hearing  some  of  the  outlyers  whisperinjir  together, 
be  made  a  detour  to  turn  their  flanx.  The  gleam 
of  his  rifle  s^n  after  betrayed  his  ticinity  to  them, 
as  was  indicated  by  a  movement  of  alarm  among 
them ;  and,  perceiTing  that  he  was  obsenred,  he 
widened  his  circuit  by  striking  inland  toward  the 
hill.  This  route  brought  him  immediately  be- 
neath the  projecting  ledge  whereon  Greyslaer  was 
reclining.  Deeming  himself  now  surrounded  by 
foes,  the  .chieftain  thought  that  it  only  remained  for 
him  to  fight  his  way  through  them  as  oest  he  might ; 
and  when  the  moon,  after  beinff  a  few  momenta 
obscured  by  a  cloud,  shone  out,  oringing  the  form 
of  Greyslaer  above  him  in  clear  relief  against  the 
sky,  Brant  discharged  his  piece  and  raised  the 
war-whoop.  His  fire  was  returned  with  a  volley 
from  the  bushes,  where  the  whites  lay  within  a  few 
yards  of  their  officer ;  but  their  shot  were  thrown 
away,  for  the  darkness  that  reined  below  the  cliff 
prevented  them  from  taking  aim  at  their  unseen 
assailant.  The  single  war-whoop  of  Brant  was  the 
next  moment  echoed  back  by  a  tumultuous  yell 
from  the  nearer  side  of  the  river,  and  the  dismayed 
borderers,  hearing  no  order  from  their  insensible 
leader,  concluded  that  he  was  slain^  and  sought  their 
own  safety  in  instant  flight. 

The  darkness  of  the  woods  rendered  pursuit  in- 
effectual. The  forest  rung  for  a  while  with  the  im- 
patient yells  of  an  Indian  chase,  and  then,  before 
an  hour  had  passed  away,  the  lonely  whoop  of  some 
solitary  savage,  hailing  nis  comrades  after  a  reluc- 
tant and  disappointed  return,  was  all  that  met  the 
ear     These  last  sounds,  had  Greyslaer  had  suffi- 


1'^'  "iiiii 


Is 


A  BOMAMOI  Of  nU  MOHAWK. 


136 


cient  coniciouineii  to  comprehend  them,  would 
have  told  him  of  the  ••Cety  of  hii  friendi,  howerer 
precarious  might  be  ki$  own.  The  wounded  offi- 
cer, upon  reviving  from  hia  awoon,  found  himaelf 
Btretched  upon  a  pile  of  akina  in  an  Indian  wigwam, 
with  a  noble-Ioolin^  Mohawk,  a  man  of  majeatic 
figure  and  commanding  aapect,  atanding  near,  with 
eyea  bent  keenly  upon  hia  own.  Greyalaer  made 
a  movement  aa  if  to  lift  one  of  hia  handa,  and  was 
about  to  apeak,  but  the  Medicine-man — for  auch  the 
Indian  seemed  by  the  taliaman  which  he  wore 
around  hia  neck,  aa  well  aa  other  emblema  and 
equipmenta  of  the  aboriginal  leech,  or  conjuror*! 
trade,  that  marked  hia  appearance — motioned  the 
youth  to  remain  ailent  ana  ^uiet.  The  aage  then, 
baring  the  wound  by  atrippmg  off  aome  moss  or 
lichen  with  which  the  blood  had  been  temporarily 
atanched,  proceeded  to  dress  it.  This  he  did,  witn 
the  assistance  of  a  withered  old  squaw,  who  stood 
by,  holding  the  Tarious  preparations  in  her  hands, 
while  ever  and  anon  she  bowed  reverently  to  the 
muttered  charm  of  the  operator.  When  this  part  of 
his  medical  treatment  was  carefully  completed,  the 
magician  administered  a  draught  with  the  same  sol- 
emn and  superstitious  ceremonial ;  and  his  patient 
soon  after  stept. 

The  slumbers  of  Greyslaer  must  have  been  long 
and  refreshing,  for  he  found  himself  so  much  re- 
vived upon  awaking  as  to  feel  a  disposition  to  rise. 
But  upon  the  first  indication  of  sucn  an  intention, 
his  ears  were  saluted  by  a  shrill  and  discordant  cry 
from  the  old  squaw,  who  sat  crouched  among  the 
ashes,  watching  a  brazen  kettle,  into  which  from 
time  to  time  she  cast  certain  roots  and  herbs,  mut- 
tering some  gibberish  to  herself  the  while.  Her 
call  was  answered  from  without  by  a  gruff  "  umph,** 
as  of  some  voice  chiding  her  shrewish  ury ;  anid 


1^ 

'nmOSr' 


136 


oKBTUjun; 


1 


iii'ii 


pi; 


straightway  the  mat  which  formed  the  only  door  of 
the  lodge  was  raised,  and  the  beoignant  features  of 
the  Medicine-man  were  seen  at  the  entrance.  He 
advanced  to  the  conch  of  Grejrslaer,  and  placing 
his  hand  upon  the  fcreliead  of  his  patient,  wnile  he 
gazed  upon  him  thoughtfully  for  some  moments, 
seamed  to  be  at  length  thoroughly  satisfied  with  the 
results  of  his  treatment  thus  far,  for  straightway  he 
began  to  iengage  him  in  conrersation,  speaking 
English  at  the  same  time  with  an  ease  and  fluency 
that  astonished  the  soldier-student. 

"  The  Spirit  hath  not  yet  need  of  thee  in  an- 
other land,  young  man.  Hx  leaTes  thee  here  yet 
a  while,  to  repent  of  thy  wickedness  in  aiding  to 
drive  his  red  children  from  their  country.** 

"  /drive  them  ?  I  love  the  Indians  !**  said  Greys- 
laer,  with  spirit.  "  It  is  only  those  who  make 
themselves  tne  slaves  of  a  foreign  king,  to  aid  in 
enchaining  my  countrymen.  It  is  only  the  murder^* 
ous  Brant  and  his  renegade  crew  upon  whom  I 
would  mako  war.** 

**  Darest  thou,  young  man^  speak  thus  of  the  great 
Thayendanageta  ?  and  yet  it  fits  thy  presumptuous 
years  to  pass  in  judgment  upon  the  aeeds  oi  a  sa- 
chem  who  hath  sat  in  council  with  the  wisest  of  thy 
race.**  • 

"  The  great  Thayendanagea  !**  scornfully  repeat- 
ed Maz.  "A  presumptuous  half-breed!  whrse 
deini-barbarous  vanity  has  been  tickled  by  sharing 
in  the  mummery  of  European  courts.  A  degen- 
erate hound,  that  hfts  exchanffed  the  noble  instincts 
of  his  forest  training,  for  the  dainty  tricks  of  a  par- 
lour-bred spaniel.  He  sit  in  council !  the  poor  tool 
of  prof  .'gate  Tory  partisans,  who  will  use  him  to 
enslave  his  people  when  they  hare  destroyed  mine." 

The  eyes  of  the  Medicine-man  shot  fire  as 
Greyslacr,  feverish  perhaps  from  his  wound,  spoke 


▲  ROXANOB  OF  THS  MOHAWK 


87 


thus  intemperately  of  Brant,  whose  doubtful  Indian 
origin  did  not  commend  him  to  the  romantic  stu- 
dent, and  whose  clerkly  employment  as  secretary  of 
Guy  Johnson  had  not  raised  him  in  the  eyes  of  the 
aspiring  youn^  soldier ;  while  recent  events  made 
Max  regard  him  as  a  crafty,  cruel,  semi-civilized 
barbarian,  who  brought  the  name  of  "  Mohawk** 
into  abhorrence  and  contempt.  Greyslaer  had  his 
eyes  fixed  upon  the  rafters  above  him  while  thus 
warmljiland  disdainfully  inveighing  against  the  cap- 
tor of  Aiida,  and  he  did  not,  therefore,  observe  toe 
agitated  movement  with  which  the  Medicine-man 
carried  his  hand  to  the  knife  which  he  wore  in  his 
ffirdle,  though,  from  the  excitement  under  which 
he  spoke,  it  is  doubtful  if  even  such  observation 
would  have  restrained  his  heated  expressions. 

The  magician  took  two  or  three  turns  through 
the  narrow  apartment  before  he  trusted  himself  to 
reply,  which  he  did  at  last  with  calmness  and  dig- 
nity. 

"Young  man,  you  speak  falsely,  though  proba- 
bly unknowingly,  in  calling  Joseph  Brant  a  half- 
breed  ;  and,  were  you  not  intrusted  by  him  to  my 
care,  you  should  die  on  this  ground  for  so  vile  a 
slander.  Thayendanagea  is  a  Mohawk  of  the  full 
blood.  And  it  any  gainsay  this  truth,  Brant,  much 
as  he  holds  your  European  usages  to  scorn,  will — I 
take  it  upon  myself  to  say — meet  any  rebel  officer 
of  his  own  rank  in  private  quarrel,  after  the  foolish 
fashion  of  the  whites.  For  the  rest — *^  and  here 
a  strange  and  undefinable  expression  of  emotion 
passed  over  the  swarthy  features  of  the  speaker, 
who  seemed  to  hesitkte  for  words  to  express  his 
mingled  feelings — "  for  the  rest,  the  Sachem  would, 
I  know,  forgive  you  for  the  love  you  seem  to  bear 
his  race ;  and  it  may  be  true  that  he  has  done  ill 
in  linking  the  fortunes  of  his  tribe  with  XhOBO  of 

M2 


m 


%■• 


?  ■»,* 


138 


aSBTSLABK  ; 


l'  '  lli  I 


','  ';h 


either  party  of  the  whites.  The  canion  birds  might 
have  quarrelled  over  the  carcass,  but  the  eagle 
should  never  have  stooped  to  share  their  wrangling, 
if  he  would  soar  with  untainted  plumage.** 

**  Your  tribesmen,  noble  Mohawk,  if  indeed  you 
be  an  Indian,**  answered  Greyslaer,  touched  by  the 
proud  yet  feeling  tone  with  which  the  last  words 
w«re  uttered,  "  your  red  brethren  had  indeed  better 
keep  aloof  from  us,  alike  in  war  or  in  peace,  for 
Ihey  seem  to  acquire  only  the  worst  attHiutes  of 
civilized  life  by  attempting  to  mingle  with  us  as 
one  people  :  and  their  share  in  this  struggle  must'—" 

"  Ay,  you  speak  well,  young  man,^  interrupted 
the  Indian,  now  wholly  thrown  off  his  dignified 
reserve  of  manner  by  what  appeared  to  be  a  theme 
of  great  excitement  with  him ;  "  if  your  vaunted 
civilization  be  not  all  a  fraud,  your  perverted  learn- 
ing but  a  shallow  substitute  for  the  wisdom  of  the 
heart,  your  so-called  social  virtues  but  a  loose  cov- 
ering for  guile,  like  the  frail  thatch  of  leaves  that 
hides  the  traps  of  an  Indian  hunter ;  if  your  reli- 
gion be  not  a  bitter  satire  upon  the  lives  of  all  of 
ye ;  if,  in  a  word,  all  your  conflicting  teachings 
and  practices  be  indeed  reconcilable  to  Truth  and 
pleasing  to  The  Spirit,  then  hath  he  created  Trutk 
of  as  many  colours  as  he  hath  man ;  and  his  red 
children  should  still  rest  content  with  the  simple 
system  Which  alone  their  hearts  are  'fitted  to  un- 
derstand.** 

Greyslaer  was  precisely  at  that  age  when  most 
men  of  an  imaginative  cast  of  mind  mistake  musing 
for  philosophiiing,  sentiment  for  reliffion ;  and  with 
that  ready  confidence  in  the  result  of  one's  own  re- 
flections and  mental  experience  which  is  the  darling 
prerogative  of  youth  and  immaturity  of  thought,  he 
did  not  hesitate  to  assume  the  attitude  of  a  teacher 
in  reply  to  the  last  remark  of  the  Indian.    **  Troth, 


* 


A  ROMANCB  Or  THE  MOHAWK. 


139 


noble  Mohawk,  hath  ever  been,  will  ever  be  iht 
tame.  But  the  truths  of  the  other  world,  as  well  as 
of  this,  are  often  wrapped  in  mystery.  God  has,  in 
two  dispensations  of  light  from  above,  revealed  to 
mortals  so  much  of  his  holy  truth  as  the  human 
mind  was  fitted  to  receive. 

**  The  first  revelation  was  like  a  dawn  in  the  for- 
est, wlvBre  the  young  day  shoots  its  horizontal  rays 
beneath  the  dusky  canopy  of  tree-tops,  and,  glancine 
between  the  columned  trunks,  streams  upon  the  path 
of  the  benighted  wanderer  of  the  wilderness.  That 
matin-light — those  holy  rays  of  the  virsin  mom  of 
true  reliffion — I  am  willing  to  believe,  iUumined  the 
lake-girdled  mountains  of  the  Iroquois  hunter  as 
well  as  the  cedar-crowned  hills  of  the  Hebrew 
shepherd.  It  shone  alike,  perhaps,  upon  the  path- 
way of  either,  if  indeed  they  were  not  one  and  the 
same  people.  But  the  realm  of  glory  to  which  that 
pathway  led ;  the  snares  that  beset  it ;  the  solace 
and  refreshment  that  lay  within  reach  of  the  travel- 
ler, alternating  his  perils,  theso  it  required  a  second 
revelation  to  bring  to  light ;  when  the  sun  of  rights 
eousness,  fairly  uprisen,  should  throw  the  blaze  of 
noontide  into  that  forest,  revealing  now,  in  stem 
reality,  its  yawning  caverns,  its  precipices  and  pit- 
falls ;  now  touching  with  mellow  beauty  its  mossy 
resting-places,  or  sparkling  with  cheerful  radiance 
upon  its  refreshing  waysiae-waters ;  and  now  ba- 
thing with  glorious  effulgence  the  region  beyond 
the  wilderness,  where  lay  the  final  rest  and  reward 
of  the  wanderer.  The  cood  men  of  my  race,  there- 
fore, preach  not  a  new  Truth  to  the  Indian!  they 
seek  but  to  share  with  him  that  broader  light  which 
has  been  vouchsafed  to  us  regarding  the  same  one 
Eternal  Truth.** 

The  Mohawk  listened  with  an  air  of  deep  re- 
ipect  to  the  earnest  language  of  the  youth,  but  hit 


i  If,;-:/ 


JttL 

mm' 


140 


GRET8LABS  ; 


'   '"  '1| 


mt  |!| 


,|  mn 


own  feelings  and  prejudices  were  too  deeply  exci- 
ted to  permit  the  discussion  long  to  preserve  the 
abstract  character  which  Greyslaer  attempted  to 
give  it. 

"I  spoke  not  against  the  truths  of  Christiani- 
ty," said  he ;  "  for  they  may  have  their  sanctuary 
as  well  in  the  desert  an(i  the  forest  as  in  the  city ; 
I  spoke  not,  I  say,  of  the  pure  light  of  Christianity, 
which  your  mobbled  faith  no  more  resembles  than  ao 
the  stamed  and  distorted  rays  that  struggle  throuffh 
a  'dungeon's  window  resemble  the  beams  of  the 
noontide  sun.  The  holy  teachings  of  your  Master 
come  to  us  like  those  unwholesome  airs  which, 
traTolling  out  pure  and  invigorating  from  the  skies, 
are  polluted  and  made  pestiferous  by  traversing 
some  noxious  marsh  before  they  reach  the  unfortu- 
nate mortal  who  is  doomed  to  breathe  them.  It  is 
Jrour  vaunted  social  system  from  which  I  recoil  with 
oathing.  Your  so-called  civilization  is,  in  its  Tery 
essence,  a  tyrant  and  enthraller  of  the  soul ;  it  mer- 
ges the  individual  in  the  mass,  and  moulds  him  to 
the  purposes,  not  of  God,  but  of  a  community  of 
men.  It  follows  the  guidance  of  true  religion  so  far 
only  as  that  ministers  to  its  own  ends,  and  then  it 
turns  and  fashions  anew  its  belief  from  time  to 
time,  to  suit  the  *  improved'  mechanism  of  its  artifi- 
cial system.  In  crowded  Europe  the  evil  is  irre- 
mediable ;  for  man  the  machine  occupies  less  rooiii 
than  man  the  herdsman  or  hunter ;  but  your  mode 
of  existence  is  not  less  a  curse  to  ye — the  white 
man's  curse,  which,  he  would  fain  share  with  his  red 
brother !  But  have  I  not  seen  how  it  works  amongr 
you  ?  Have  I  not  been  to  your  palaces  and  your 
churches,  and  seen  there  a  deformed  piece  of  earth 
assume  airs  that  become  none  but  the  great  Spirit 
above  ?  Have  I  not  been  to  your  prisons,  and  seen 
the  wretched  debtor  peering  through  the  bars  ?   You 


i^^  m 


▲  KOMAHCK  or  TBM   MOHAWK. 


141 


call  the  Indian  nations  cruel !  Yet  liberty  to  a  ra* 
tional  creature  as  much  exceeds  property  in  value 
as  does  the  light  of  the  sun  that  of  the  smallest 
twinkling  star !  But  you  put  them  on  a  level,  to 
the  everlasting  disgrace  of  human  nature.  I  have 
seen  the  white  captive  writhins  at  the  Indian  stake, 
and  rendinff  the  air  with  shrieks  of  agony ;  strange 
that  the  unhappy  man  did  not  endeavour,  by  his  for- 
titude, to  atone  m  some  de^ee  for  the  crimes  com- 
mitted durinff  the  life  thus  justly  shortened.  I  have 
witnessed  all  the  hideouts  torments  Uiat  you  ascribe 
to  such  a  death,  and  yet  I  had  rather  die  by  the  most 
severe  tortures  ever  inflicted  by  the  Indian  than 
lan|[uish  in  one  of  your  prisons  a  single  year! 
Great  Spirit  of  the  Univorse !  and  do  you  call  your- 
selves christians  1  Does  the  religion  of  him  you 
call  your  Saviour  inspire  this  spirit  and  lead  to  these 
practices  V** 

Greyslaer,  who  listened  with  curious  attention  to 
this  strange  harangue,  as  coming  from  the  lips  of  an 
Indian,  was  completely  bewildered  by  the  fluency 
and  energy  with  which  the  magician  delivered  hif 
tirade,  and  he  scrutinized  his  features  and  complex- 
ion, as  if  expecting  to  discover  the  lineaments  of 
some  disguised  renecado  white,  who,  with  talents 
fitted  for  a  better  sphere,  had,  induced  by  caprice 
or  compelled  by  crime,  banished  himself  from  so* 
ciety,  and  assumed  the  character  of  one  of  the  abo- 
rigines. But  the  natural  and  easy  manner  in  which 
the  object  of  his  suspicions  turned  the  next  moment 
and  addressed  the  Indian  woman  in  her  own  lan- 
guage, not  less  than  the  veneration  with  which  the 

*  The  crude  sentiments  of  this  '*  Medicine>man,"  as  thus  spo* 
ken,  seem,  by  some  coincidence  or  other,  to  have  been  afterward 
partially  repeated  by  Thayendanagea,  and  in  nearly  similar  words, 
m  a  letter  to  a  correspondent  of  the  chieftain.— Viae  Stone'M  lUf* 
0/  JBranf,  toI.  ii.,  p.  481. 


m. 


V'f}- 


II 


'^  ^  :;i 


li  ii 


mM 


ill! 


m 


142 


ORBTSLABR ; 


squaw  received  his  behests,  dispelled  the  idea,  while 
little  opportunity  was  given  him  for  making  a  more 
minute  examination.  The  Medicine-man,  smiling 
blandly,  as  if  he  read  what  was  passing  in  the  mind 
of  his  patient,  approached  to  his  side,  and  telling 
him  that  he  was  now  about  to  consiffn  him  to  the 
care  of  others,  asked  Greyslaer,  as  the  only  return 
expected  for  any  service  he  might  have  rendered 
him,  10  curb  his  tongue  hereafter  in  speaking  of  Jo- 
seph Brant ! 

Before  the  patriot  officer  could  reply,  the  magi- 
cian had  turned  upon  his  heel  and  gained  the  door ; 
but,  as  if  struck  with  an  after  thought,  he  instantly 
returned,  and,  ere  Greyslaer  was  aware  of  his  inten- 
tion, he  had  bared  his  arm  to  the  shoulder,  produced 
a  stained  flint  from  his  pouch,  and  jranded  an  un- 
couth device,  that  made  the  skin  smart  with  pain  as 
the  blood  oozed  through. 

"  He  who  loves  the  Red-man  ma^  die  by  rifle  or 
tomahawk,  but  he  will  never  be  disgraced  by  the 
scalping-knife  or  tortured  at  the  stake  if  he  snows 
this  mark  to  the  followers  of  Thayendanagea !'' 

And,  before  Greyslaer  could  find  language  to  ex- 
press his  astonishment,  either  at  the  act  or  the  words 
which  accompanied  it,  he  was  alone  with  the  old 
woman,  who  busied  herself  in  reverentially  picking 
up  and  putting  away  the  mumming  tools  of  his  pro- 
fession which  the  pseudo  magician  had  flung  upon 
the  ground  as  he  disappeared  through  the  door, 


A  ROMANCE   OF  THE   MOUAWK. 


143 


CHAPTER  XIII. 


THE   SQUAW   CAMP. 


"  A  swampy  lair,  walled  round  with  sullen  hills, 
"Whose  jagged  rocks  upheaved  their  splintered  crests, 
Frowning  above  the  fray  of  wrestling  limbs  below  ; 
A  wild  morass,  whose  tangled  thickets  hid 
The  blessed  sunshine  from  its  oozy  pools. 
Save  where  some  grassy  tussock,  cincturml  by  a  rilli 
O'er  which  the  fragrant  birch  and  spicewood  drooped, 
Let  down  the  quivering  light  upon  its  floor." 

MS.  Poenu. 

The  above  lines  describei  not  inaptly,  the  scene 
to  which  the  wounded  prisoner  had  been  carried  for 
safety  and  seclusion.  The  lodge  in  which  Greys- 
laer  lay  helpless  upon  the  bed  of  pain,  stood,  among 
several  others  in  the  wilderness,  remote  from  the 
station  where  the  warriors  of  the  Mohawks  were 
collected ;  and,  from  the  pleasant  murmur  of  female 
voices,  and  cheering  call  of  children  at  play»  which 
met  his  ear  when  returning  strength  enabled  the 
wounded  officer  to  be  more  observant  of  things 
around  him,  he  soon  became  aware  that  his  present 
domicil  must  be  none  other  than  the  "  Squaw  Camp** 
of  Thayendanagea ;  a  lonely  fastness  where,  in  time 
of  war,  the  women  and  children  of  his  tribe  were 
sequestered  for  safety. 

!Eager  to  catch  ai  anything  to  vary  the  monotony 
of  slow  convalescence,  and  prompted  by  that  thirst 
for  sunshine  and  the  breeze  which  gives  such  a 
yearning  to  the  sick  man's  spirit,  Greyslaer  would 
fain  have  expressed  his  desire  to  be  lifted  out  in 
front  of  the  lodge.  But,  ianorant  of  the  Mohawk 
language,  he  found  somo  difficulty  in  making  the 


-^  A 

^Im 


V 


144 


ORBTILABR  \ 


m^  <'w  :;1 


m 


old  squaw,  who,  as  his  only  nurse,  affected  to  reg- 
ulate all  his  movements,  understand  his  wishes.  Her 
consent  to  the  step,  however,  was  obtained  without 
any  great  difficulty,  and  she  transported  the  invalid 
beyond  the  porch  by  dragging  his  pallet  of  skins, 
with  the  patient  upon  it,  to  the  outside  of  the  wig- 
wam. 

A  rivulet,  bounded  upon  the  opposite  side  by  a 
wall  of  vines  and  briers,  which  in  their  turn  were 
overhung  by  tall  aspens,  intermineled  with  the 
swamp-ash  and  dusky  tamarack,  rippled  against  the 
mossy  bank  whereon  he  lay,  and  hid  its  wanderings 
in  mazy  thickets  beyond.  The  hammock  whereon 
the  cluster  of  wigwams  which  formed  the  camp  had 
been  raised,  seemed  to  afford  the  only  spot  firm 
enough  for  such  a  purpose  amid  the  spongy  and 
quaking  morass  that  spread  around  on  every  side. 
And  this  grassy  esplanade  was  so  limited  in  extent, 
that  a  clump  of  witch-elms  growing  in  the  centre 
cast  their  drooping  branches  nearly  to  the  middle  of 
the  stream  that  bathed  the  wild  flowers  on  its  edges. 

Beneath  one  of  these  trees  was  collected  a  group 
that  instantly  arrested  the  earnest  gaze  of  the  cap- 
tive officer.  A  merry  crew  of  children,  which  seem- 
ed to  have  been  confided  to  her  care,  were  playing 
with  a  larffe,  solemn  hound  that  reposed  at  the  feet 
of  a  slim  Indian  girl.  The  girl,  leaning  against  Uie 
tree,  with  one  pretty  foot  upraised  upon  its  strag- 
gling roots,  sat  weaving  a  baldric  of  silk  and  wam- 
pum, whose  gaudy  strings  lay  partly  on  the  green 
god  beside  her,  ana  were  partly  neld  in  long  beaded 
cords  by  a  noble-looking  woman  that  stood  behind 
her,  pl^uUy  twining  the  gay  tassels  in  the  raven 
locks  of  her  companion.  The  face  of  the  larger  and 
more  commanding  maiden  was  averted  from  his 

gaze  when  her  person  first  caught  the  eye  of  Greys- 
ler;  but  her  snowy  hand,  resting  for  a  moment 


A 


A  BOMANOB  OF  THB   MOHAWK. 


145 


upon  the  nut-brown  neck  of  the  Indian  girl,  Buffi* 
ciently  revealed  to  him  the  neighbourhood  of  one  of  w 
hid  own  race  and  colour;  perhaps  a  country  woman ; 
perhaps,  indeed — he  could  scarcely  repress  a  cry  of 
joy  at  the  thought  of  the  bare  possibility — perhapi 
Alida !  The  proud  and  commandin|;  mien — ^proud, 
even  though  something  mournful  in  her  air  was 
blended  with  the  half  sportive  act  in  which  she  was 
engaged — was  surely  that  of  Alida.  The  same  de- 
jection or  listlessness  of  manner,  call  it  which  you 
will,  it  was  true,  might  characterize  any  female  cap- 
tive so  situated ;  but  the  scenes  which  Miss  De  Roos 
had  recently  passed  through  would  best  mark  her 
as  the  victim  of  present  melancholy. 

So  Greyslaer  thought,  and  his  suriinises  were  al- 
most ripened  to  a  certainty  when  he  looked  again 
at  the  hound.  He  thought  he  beheld  in  him  the 
cause  of  an  outcry  which  had  been  more  than  once 
raised  near  bis  cabin,  as  the  shrewish  squaw  beat 
off  a  dog  that  from  day  to  day  persisted  in  thrusting 
his  nose  under  the  blanket  which  formed  the  door, 
and  smelling  round  as  if  in  search  of  an  acquaint- 
ance. The  invalid  had  himself  noticed  the  intni- 
sion  as  pertinacious,  but  believed  the  offender  to  be 
merely  one  of  the  wolfish  mongrels  that  bang  round 
an  Indian  camp.  It  was  like  recognising  an  old 
friend  to  discover  his  mistake.  "  Brom  !**  he  called, 
in  a  low  voice ;  the  hound  raised  his  ears,  **  Brom !" 
he  repeated,  in  the  same  suppressed  tone.  The  dog 
shook  off  the  urchins  that  beleaguered  him  as  he 
sprang  to  his  feet  and  looked  anxiously  around. 
'*  Brom,  my  poor  fellow  !**  said  Greyslaer,  somewhat 
louder,  and  tne  hound  bounded  upon  him,  devouring 
him  with  caresses. 

"  Down,  sir,  dovm,**  he  cried,  extricating  himself 
with  difficulty  from  this  overpowering  outbreak  of 
affection,  and  turning  to  look  lor  the  fair  mistress  of 

Vol.  I.— N 


■.* 


146 


ORBYS&AER  ; 


jl  ^l!l 


ill 


the  animal.    But  Alida,  if  it  were  indeed  she,  had 
#  disappeared  on  the  instant ;  and  Ae  Indian  girl,  col- 
lecting her  work  together,  was  preparing  to  follow 
her  companion. 

The  wounded  Greyslaer,  whose  situation  pre- 
vented his  moving,  was  filled  with  grief  and  vexa- 
tion when,  unheeding  every  gesture  by  which  he 
attempted  to  arrest  her  attention,  the  Indian  girl  also 
flitted  from  the  spot.  He  sank  back,  exhausted  with 
tffitation,  upon  his  couch  of  skins;  and  believing 
almost  that  his  fevered  senses  had  deceived  him, 
turned  the  nejit  moment  to  look  for  the  dog,  to  see 
if  he  too  had  been  spirited  away.  The  hound  had 
#  couched  down  a  few  yards  o£f,  where  he  sat  watch- , 
ioff  his  new-found  acquaintance.  He  wagged  his 
tafl,  and  approaching  as  he  caught  an  encouraginff 
look  from  Greyslaer,  proved,  by  rubbing  his  cold 
nose  against  the  hand  of  his  friend,  that  ne  at  least 
was  a  substantial  thing  of  earth. 

**  Why,  oki  Brom,  are  you  still  true  to  your  mis- 
tress's  friend,  while  she  mes  his  presence  as  if  he 
were  an  evil  spirit  ?" 

The  dog  looked  as  if  he  had  every  disposition  in 
die  world  to  comprehend  what  was  said  to  him,  but, 
^lik«  most  dogs  wno  fail  in  rach  endeavour,  gave  ao 
Mply. 

^But  hera  comes  my  tarmaffantmme,  md  yen 
most  walk  aS,  ray  poor  fellow.*^ 

At  the  youth  spoke  he  warded  off  a  blow  wknii 
the  truculent  dame  aimed  at  the  hound  with  a  stick 
mkiidtk  she  seiied  from  the  ffround*  and  which  Greya- 
iMr,  snatcbiDg  from  her  hand,  shook  at  her  in  a 
tbrcateniiig  manner,  to  show  his  displeasuTe,.i}efore 
casting  it  into  the  stream  near  him.  The  worthy 
fiiom,  meanwhile,  either  understanding  the  last 
words  which  had  been  addresMd  to  hiM>  or  nnwil^ 
lug  to  create  acandal  by  eiosing  a  idbmeitic  farofl  in 


h 


A  ROMANO!  Off  THB  MOHAWK. 


147 


Oreyflaer*!  establishment,  wisely  abstracted  himself 
i  3  fast  as  his  legs  could  carry  him.  It  is  a  curious 
facb)  that  a  well-bred  dog,  who  has  been  happy  in 
his  associations  with  the  polite  of  our  species,  will 
never  fly  at  a  woman  or  child ;  and  Brom,  though  he 
preferrml  running  to  fighting  in  the  present  instance, 
curled  his  tail  so  erect  upon  his  retreat,  that  no 
suspicion  could  attach  to  his  valour.  Turning  round 
when  he  had  gained  a  discreet  distance  from  the 
virago,  he  paused  for  a  few  moments,  and  looked 
back  upon  her  with  a  countenance  more  in  sorrow 
than  in  anser  before  taking  up  the  lazy  trot  with 
which  he  finally  disappeared  behind  a  remote  wig- 
wam of  the  group. 

The  young  officer  was  not  at  a  loss  to  account 
for  the  conduct  of  the  white  lady  in  apparently 
avoiding  him;  if  she  were  here  a  captive  like  him- 
self. But,  assuning  her  to  be  such,  he  could  con- 
ceive no  satisfactory  reason  for  her  discouraging 
every  kind  of  communication  botween  them.  Yet 
such  seemed  really  to  be  the  case  when,  a  few  days 
after  his  first  transient  glimpse  of  lier  person,  his  eye 
again  encountered  her  figure,  as,  with  the  luxurious 
laziness  of  an  invalid,  he  loitered  in  the  cool  shade, 
musing  upon  his  situation.  His  strength,  which  had 
ra{{idly  improved  within  the  last  few  days,  enabled 
him  now  to  move  toward  the  lady ;  but  the  eager 
cry  with  which  he  pronounced  the  name  of  "  Alida*' 
warned  her  of  his  approach;  and  its  earnest  and 
anxious  repeiitidn  only  added  quickness  to  the  speed 
with  which  she  eluded  his  pursuit. 

The  dispirited  Greyslaer  began  now  to  doubt 
whether  or  not  the  fair  captive,  for  such  both  the 
dress  and  complexion  proclaimed  her  to  be,  were 
really  Miss  De  Roos.  And  yet,  while  it  would  be 
equally  strange  for  any  other  of  his  countrywomen 
to  practise  a  similar  avoidance,  considering  the  situ- 


SJ^ 


i 


•jif' 


146 


omaYaLkmn ; 


irr 


ation  of  both  partiei,  and  how  much  a  good  undep' 
itanding  between  them  might  tend  to  facilitate  their 
,  mutual  escape,  the  circumitancei  under  whicVAln 
"da  had  been  carried  off,  and  the  pretence  of  h^r  fa* 
▼ourite  doff  in  company  with  the  mysterious  maid« 
en,  seemed  sufficiently  to  prove  that  the  white  lady 
could  be  no  other  than  Miss  De  Roos. 

Another  suspicion  which  passed  through  the 
mind  of  Greysiaer  was  hastily  dismissed  as  uti- 
worthy  both  of  Alida  and  himself,  considering  the 
perils  which  he  had  encountered  to  restore  her  to 
ner  friends.  It  was,  that  the  coldness  with  which 
she  had  ever  frowned  upon  his  boyish  suit  actuated 
her  conduct  in  their  present  situation.  **  She  is  un- 
willing," said  he,  bitterly,  "  to  receive  succour  at 
my  hands.  Nay,  she  is  indifferent  to  the  disaster 
which  has  overtaken  me  in  attemptinff  to  rescue 
her ;  and  regardless,  perhaps,  as  to  what  may  be 
my  fate  as  a  wounded  prisoner  in  the  hands  of  these 
savages ;.  and  yet  she  lacks  not  humanity !  Surely, 
am  f  less  than  naught  to  her  V* 

We  have  said  that  Greysher  repelled  these  un- 
worthy suspicions,  and  so  he  did,  mdignant  that  a 
thouffht  demeaning  to  his  mistress  should  have 
found  a  place  in  his  mind,  much  less  ^^haped  itself 
into  words.  He  repelled  it,  but  in  vain,  for  the 
same  ungenerous  thought  recuned  again  and  again,, 
with  witheung  effect  upon  his  already  depressed 
spirits. 

Alas !  what  a  blight  does  that  thought  bring  over 
a  young,  ardent,  ingenuous  mind !  The  thought 
that  it  hath  lavished  its  wealth  of  loving  upon  one 
who  not  only  can  make  no  return,  but  who  cares 
not,  recks  not  how  prodiffally  the  treasures  of  the 
heart  may  be  wasted ;  who  regards  the  most  gen- 
erous sacrifices  of  disinterested  feeling  as  mere  in- 
cense upon  the  altar  of  vanity ;  who  derides  the 


A  SOHAHOB  OF  THB  MOHAWK. 


149 


idolatry  of  true  affection,  and  holds  the  deepeat 
throes  of  deroted  passion  but  as  idle  sallies  of 
youthful  extravagance  that  have  no  claim  upon  her 
sympathy,  that  can  never  awaken  her  gratitude  I 
ouch,  hovk  .''ver,  is  too  often  the  recompense  of  tht 
misplaced  ^fTrxtion  that  knows  not  how  to  conceal 
or  regulate  its  own  overflowings. 

Ingratitude,  however,  is  not,  therefore,  the  special 
fault  of  the  sex !  It  is  human  nature,  not  woman 
nature,  which  sets  lightly  by  a  homage  which  hat 
never  been  solicited,  and  which  is  paid  without 
stint  t  When  that  homage  is  pertinacious  and  un- 
seasonable, it  becomes  irksome  and  offensive.  The 
attentions  of  love  that  we  do  not  reciprocate,  how- 
ever pleasing  to  our  vanity  at  first,  cease  to  flatter 
when  passion  increases  to  infatuation.  The  idola- 
try which  springs  from  too  extravagant  an  appre- 
ciation of  our  character  or  personal  qualities,  seeme 
akin  either  to  folly  or  madness,  and  we  no  longer 
value  the  good  opinion  which  is  the  offspring  rath- 
er of  a  heated  fancy  than  of  a  judgment  which  we 
can  respect. 

But  though  these  chilling  laws  of  reasoning  hu- 
man nature  admit  of  but  little  mitigation,  yet  Alida 
de  Roos  was  of  too  magnanimous  a  spirit  to  apply 
them  in  full  to  one  who  loved  her,  if  not  wisely, 
yet  with  all  truth  and  nobleiiess ;  and  seeing  in  her 
youthful  admirer  all  the  qualities  to  awaken  a  sit- 
ter's tenderness,,  she  mourned  his  infatuation  with  a 
sister's  sorrow.  Love  him  she  thought  she  never 
could,  even  if  her  heart  had  not  been  preoccupied 
by  an  emotion  that  closed  it  completeljr  against 
such  a  sentiment.  Her  haughty  ana  aspiring  mind 
had  hitherto  detected  no  qualities  in  GreyslaerVi 
character  which  could  touch  it  to  gentle  issues.  It 
was  only  as  the  refined  but  visionary  student,  the 
romantic  cherisher  of  vain  and  speculative  dreans4 

N2 


\0 


ISO 


OKirtLABR 


m 


IH 


such  as  float  around  a  young  enthusiast  who  knows 
the  world  through  books  alone,  that  Greyslaer  had 
hitherto  appeared  to  the  lady  of  his  love.  The  pla^ 
of  his  polished  fancy,  the  allurements  of  his  culti- 
rated  intellect,  had  interested  her  in  studying  the 
character  of  a  stripling  who,  some  years  her  junior, 
and  continually  thrown  in  her  society  as  the  most 
intimate  friend  of  her  brother,  did,  not  unnaturally, 
attract  her  kindly  regard.  But  while,  with  less 
mental  acquirement  upon  her  own  part,  Alida  per- 
haps OTer-estimated  that  of  which  Greyslaer  could 
boast,  yet  her  esteem  for  his  talents  and  accomplish- 
ments was  full  as  nearly  allied  to  pity  as  to  admira- 
tion. .  She  admired  the  qualities  in  themselves,  but\ 
she  thought  that  their  possessor,  in  this  instance, 
was  deficient  in  the  power  to  make  them  useful 
either  to  himself  or  to  others.  She  thouffht  the 
character  of  Greyslaer  was  wholly  unsuited  to  the 
country  and  the  circumstances  amid  which  his  lot 
was  cast.  He  possessed  the  requisites,  among 
other  scenes  and  other  times,  to  grace  a  fortune  or 
uphold  an  honourable  name ;  but  he  lacked  the 
stirring  qualities  to  win  either  by  his  own  exertions. 
He  was,  in  a  word,  one  whose  impracticable,  feeble^ 
or  misapplied  energies  doomed  hini  to  mediocrity 
IB  life;  a  mediocrity  which,  by  the  comfortable 
respectability  that  she  believed  would  attend  it, 
gained  nothing  in  the  eyes  of  a  woman  whom  pov- 
erty or  peril  would  never  have  prevented  from  sha* 
rinr  the  destiny  .of  the  man  she  loved. 

*Twas  strange  V  yet  the  acute-minded  Alida  do 
Roos  seemed  never  to  dream  that  the  wild  devotion 
which  the  student  borck  her  was  what  absorbed  all 
the  salient  energies  of  his  soul ;  that  she  was  the 
bond  that  kept  its  pinions  from  mounting ;  that>  idol- 
atry for  her  alone  had  robbed  ambition's  shrine  of 
Greyslaer's  wortbip ;  that  love— love  only— «Urab^ 


▲  SOMAirCS  OV  THB  MOBAWK. 


151 


sorbing,  all-deYouring  love,  had  dalved  the  grave  in 
which  his  youth's  best  proipise  was  swallowed  up ! 
The  bitter  reflections  of  the  lonely  prisoner  were 
destined  to  a  more  early  and  agreeable  relief  than 
he  had  anticipated.  An  hour  or  more  had  passed 
away,  and  Greyslaer  still  sat  beneath  the  weeping 
elm,  now  moodily  gazing  upon  the  stream  that 
twinkled  through  the-  bushes  near  him,  and  now 
casting  a  fierce  and  impatient  glance  upon  some 
lounging  Indian,  an  aged  or  broken-down  warrior 
of  the  band,  who  had  been  left  by  the  chief  for  the 
nominal  protection  of  the  camp.  At  last  an  object 
of  more  agreeable  interest  presented  itself  in  the 
shape  of  Brom,  the  stag-hound;  Greyslaer  had 
not  seen  the  dog  for  some  days;  and  surmising 
that  the  friendly  animal  had  been  kept  out  of  his 
sight  b}r  desiffn,  he  was  at  once  struck  with  the 
peculiarity  of  nis  conduct  now,  as  the  hound,  in- 
stead of  bounding  easerly  forward  to  fawn  upon 
him,  exhibited  the  coolest  indifference  to  the  call  of 
his  friends  The  sagacious  Brom  went  wanderinff 
hither  and  thither,  smelling  idly  along  the  ground, 
and,  though  gradually  coming  nearer,  making  his  ap- 

I>roaches  after  such  a  careless  fashion,  that  Greys- 
aer  was  in  doubt  whether  the  brute  knew  him  or 
not.  He  whistled,  and  again  called  him  by  name ; 
but  the  dog,  raising  his  head,  looked  vacantly 
around  him,  and  then  resumed  his  course,  without 
adding  either  to  the  rapidity  or  directness  of  his 
steps.  At  last,  getting  withm  a  few  yards  of  his 
friend,  the  worthy  Brom  appeared  to  be  for  the  first 
time  aware  of  his  neighbourhood,  though  not  until 
he  had  first  passed  by,  and,  as  it  neemta,  thrown  H 
chance  look  over  his  shoulder,  which  %auced  him 
to  turn  and  come  gravely  forward^'fljpot  wddiing  to 
cut  an  old  acquaintance  by  desigjii.  4^^i*®<^  ^^^ 
^*  the  airs**  of  the  dog— for  in  happier  dayHvrey tU«r 


■♦ 


152 


OBBTSIJ^JBB 


tixU 


had  frequently  seen  him  put  on  the  fame  whimsi- 
caI  dignity  for  less  cause  than  might  have  giren 
Brom  offence  at  his  last  Tisit  to  the  wiffwam — the 
young  man  took  the  head  of  the  houmiin  his  lap 
and  patted  it  kindly.  Brom  only  acknowledged 
the  caress  by  rubbing  his  head  agamst  the  knees  of 
his  friend,  as  if  his  collar  were  too  tight  for  him; 
and,  placinff  his  hand  under  the  clasp  to  loosen  it, 
Greyslaer  felt  beneath  it  a  scroll  of  Dirchen  bark, 
whose  smooth  and  flexible  texture  allows  it  to  be 
written  upon  and  folded  like  paper.  Agitated  with 
joy  at  the  discovery,  the  surprise  of  the  youth  did 
not,  howeyer,  prevent  him  from  instantly  concealing 
the  missive  in  his  dress ;  while  the  wise  Brom,  ap  ' 
parently  contented  with  the  interview,  went  smell- 
inff  ana  loitering  on  his  way  around  the  camp,  as 
if  nis  tour  was  one  of  idleness  altogether. 

The  note,  as  read  by  Grevslaer  the  moment  he 
had  attained  the  interior  of  his  lodge,  from  which 
his  quondam  nurse  and  present  amiable  house* 
keeper  was  happily  absent,  ccmtained  only  Uiese 
words,  written  with  charcoal  { 

**  An  hour  after  midnight,  be  near  the  fallen  syc- 
amore which  crosses  the  brook  within  a  few  paces 
of  your  wigwam.  The  Indian  girl  will  conduct  you 
to  an  interview  with  . 

"A.  D.R.'' 


llO'i'   '   :l! 


f 


▲  ROMANOS  OV  THB  MOHAWK. 


153 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

THE  HAVNTBD  ROCK. 

"And  in  the  moantom  mist,  the  torreiit*«  eprtf, 
The  quiVeriog  forest  or  the  slassy  food, 

Soft-falung  showers  or  hues  oiorient  day, 
They  imaged  spirits  beautiltd  and  good ; 

Bat  when  the  tempest  roared,  "^th  voices  rude, 
Or  fierce  red  lightning  fired  the  forest-pine, 

Or  withering  heats  untimely  seared  the  wood, 
The  angry  forms  they  saw  of  powers  malign ;  ' 
TJit)^    Skey  besoaght  to  spare,  those  blessed  for"] 


▼me. 


Samd*. 


^  ''And  what  fears  The  Spreading  Dew  in  this 
place,  that  she  would  have  me  now  choose  another 
for  her  to  lead  the  white  man  to,  that  I  may  hear 
tidings  of  my  friends  ?*' 

"  This  rock  whereon  we  sit,  lady — ^for  Teondetba 
told  me  thou  wen  a  chieftainess  among  thy  people 
•^this  rock  i?  sacred  to  the  spirit  that  watches  over 
true  affection.  Here  the  young  hunter  breathes  the 
TOW  that  binds  his  fidelity  for  ever.  And  she  that 
hearkens  to  it  here,  if  listening  but  from  girlish  ley- 
i^^»  or  induced  by  maiden  prankishness  to  break  it 
afterward,  she  withers  from  the  earth  like  a  plant 
plucked  from  the  garden  of  the  blessed,  and  sent  to 
shrivel  mid  the  fires  of  the  Evil  One.'' 

"But,  foolish  girl,  I  mean  not  to  mislead  this 
youth,''  rejoined  Alida,  in  the  Mohawk  tongue, 
wh^ch,  like  many  a  lady  near  the  border  at  tbRt 
time,  she  spoke  with  ease  and  fluency.  **  Is  the 
soul  of  my  young  friend  so  full  of  Teondetha,  that 
she  thinks  every  mvi,  like  him,  a  lover  I" 


v:-':^ 


t'"^ 


■i'! 


?> 


::  ■  ! 


'i    -  ■ 


"^ 


\\ 


i  i 


154 


GBBYSIABR  ; 


<*The  image  of  her  true  warrior,  though  erer 
present  to  The  Spreading  Dew,  still  leaTes  room 
for  all  ffood  spirits,  and  their  ruler,  Owaneyo,  to  be 
remembered.  The  brown-haired  captive  Ioyos  my 
blue-eyed  sister;  and  if  he  be  no  more  to  her  than 
she  says,  it  were  mockery  to  the  spirit  to  bring  him 
here.** 

**  And  by  what  means  got  you  the  idea  that  this 
young  man  thinks  of  your  friend  save  as  a  country- 
woman in  captivity  like  himself?" 

**  Thou  speakest  with  two  tongues,  lady ;  and  I, 
thouffh  the  talk  of  the  white  man  is  strange  to  me, 
can  do  the  same.  The  brown-haired  warrior  is  i 
friend  of  the  Oneidas,  and  can  use  the  tongue  o| 
Teondetha;  and,  even  if  words  had  not  betrayed 
his  secret,  as  he  implored  me  to  look  first  to  your 
safety,  lady,  when  you  came  not  to  the  spot  to 
phich  I  led  him  upon  the  opposite  side  of  the 
duoap  yesternight,  should  I  not  have  known  how  it 
t^tood  with  him  ?  Doth  not  the  breeze  know  why 
the  floi^er  trembles  when  it  fans  it  ?  And  held  I  not 
the  captive's  hand  while  I  spoke  of  you,  when  gui- 
ding him  through  the  thicket's  depths  ?" 

"  It  is  too  late  now,  my  gentle  si8ter,4o  change 
our  place  of  meeting,"  said  Miss  De  Roos,  who  saw 
that  it  was  equally  impossible  to  reason  the  girl  out 
of  the  conviction  which  she  had  lately  adopted,  or 
the  superstition  which  was  so  intimately  ingraft- 
ed with  her  forest  faith.  "  I  must  see  the  youth 
to-night,  and  upon  this  spot,  or  we  must  abandon 
the  interview  altogether ;  and  even  now  I  hear  the 
sound  as  of  some  one  leaping  from  bog  to  bog  in 
the  quakins  fen  around  xuJ"  \ 

The  Mohawk  girl  hesitated  no  longer.  Anxiety 
for  the  fate  of  Teondetha's  friend*  wandering  in 
darkness  amid  the  spongy  and  treacherous  morass, 
laced  everywhere  among  ite^^blind  thickets  with 


III!*' 


i:.^!! 


.* 


^r 


A  ROMANCE  OF  TBE  MOHAWK. 


155 


deep  and  sloughy  pools,  urged  her  to  spring  forward 
and  guide  him  in  safety  to  the  Haunted  Rock ;  and 
in  a  few  moments  Greyslaer  had  penetrated  the 
copse  of  tamaracks  that  girdled  it,  and  gained  the 
firm  and  broad  ^h  form  whereon  his  mistress  stood. 
The  Indian  maiden,  from  considerations  of  delicacy 
that  in  such  matters  seem  common  to  her  sex,  how- 
ever uncultiYated,  instantly  glided  away ;  and  the 
lovers,  if  such  they  may  he  called,  were  left  alone 
together. 

And  now,  young  gallant,  so  lithe  of  foot  and  bold 
,of  hand,  so  ready  in  speech  and  act,  alike  amid  man- 
hood's councils  and  warrior  fray,  where  lurks  thy 
smooth  tongue,  thy  nimble  wit  and  stout  endeavour, 
that  have  uready  proclaimed  thee  man  among  the 
ablest  of  thy  fellows  ?  Why  do  thy  knees  tremble, 
and  thy  quivering  lips  refuse  to  lackey  thy  laggard 
thoughts  to  utterance?  Why  tak'st  thou  not  the 
outstretched  hand  the  maid  in  friendliness  a^porda 
thee  ?  Why  fall  thy  muttered  syllables  like  broken 
drops  feMy  distiUed  from  some  slow-thawing  fount- 
am  f  Is  il  the  Divinitf  of  the  place  that  awes  diee  ? 
or  doth  thy  spirit  quail  before  an  earthly  presence  ? 

**  Ghreyi^aer,"  sod  Alida,  solemnly,  for  her  wom- 
an's heart  wms  toacbed  by  the  agitation  whidi 
overwhelmed  her  k)ver,  and  the  bri^t  stars  shiniiig 
4omn  upon  the  spot  revealed  the  paleness  ^i  fam 
cheek.  "  God !  he  knows  that  I  wonld  spare  yon 
the  ftoM  my  words  may  inflict  to-night ;  1  sought 
ikis  interview  for  a  feur  different  obiedt  from  that  to 
winch  I  now  see  that  it  must — 'that  ^  oueht,  per- 
hajm,  for  your  future  happiness,  to  tend.  I  blame 
ai3rielf  in  not  invitiiig  such  an  ezplanation  between 
na  long  age.  Be  a  man.  Max  Gri^jrslaer,  and  Shrink 
not  at  WMt  I  am  about  to  say.     zou  kve  me?* 

'*  To  idoietr^r,  to  madness,**  cried  the  young  men, 
in  a  hoarse  whisper  of  passion,  while  hit  thronged 


'%,, 


I  j 


166 


OEBTSLABB 


IM 


m 


mm 


ttimi'a 


ii 


feelings,  nishinff  tumultuously  to  find  vent  through 
his  lips,  seemednearly  to  suffocate  him  as  he  flung 
jiimself  upon  his  knees  before  Alida. 
If  The  lady  recoiled  against  a  blasted  tree  that  grew 
near  by,  and,  overcome  for  a  moment,  could  only 
mutely  motion  to  him  to  rise.  He  sprang  to  his  feet, 
and  stood  with  folded  arms  before  her.  "  Alas ! 
alas!**  she  said,  at  length recoYering  herself,  "you 
need  not  have  told  me  that.  And  yet,  the  God  of 
Heaven  be  my  judge,  I  dreamed  not-till  this  night 
that  your  regard  was  of  so  deep  a  nature.  But  you 
are  yet  young,  Greyslaer ;  love  cannot  exist  without 
hope,  and  this  fancy  will  soon  pass  away,  or  be 
transferred  to  another  teore  worthy  of  your  esteem ) 
to  one  who  can  reciprocate  your  affection.** 
I,  **  Yes  f  when  the  last  year's  stubble  shall  sprout 
with  a  second  spring ;  when  that  scathed^  tree 
against  wh^ch  you  lean  shall  shake  off  the  moss 
that  ^nks  \ip  its  sa^  of  life,  and  be  clothed  anew 
with  verdure  of  its  own ;  when — ^** 
V  **  Hold,  Max,  hold ;  this  is  the  very  phrensy  of 
passion.  I  cannot  listen  to  you  longer,  unless  you 
show  some  re|o;ard  for  nay  feelings  by  repressing  the 
vehemence  of  yours.  Oh !  Max  Greyslaer,  ir  you 
knew  how  deep  a  cause  I  have  for  grief  in  which 
you  cannot  share,  you  would  from  this  moment 
cease  to  add  to  my  sorrows  by  urging  this  mispla* 
ced,  this  most  unhappy  passion.** 

"  You  unhappy,  Alida  ? — forgive  me  for  thus  call- 
inff  you.  You  the  victim  of  a  secret  sorrow  ?  You, 
with  that  smooth^cheek ;  that  rounded,  pliant  form ; 
that  brow  on  which — ^no,  no,  the  band  of  srief  hath 
never  left  its  wasting;  fingers  there,  nor  h^low  care 
enshrined  himself  in  such  «  tenement;  you  but 
mock  me,  Alida;  or,  rather,  you  would  thus,  in 
mercy,  cniih  my  ill-starred  passion.   But,  Miss  De 


ifV 


▲  BOMAUCS  OF  THB  MOHAWK. 


157 


Roos,  you  know  me  not !  If  the  presumption  of 
my  love  offend  you — ^ 

**  Oh  f  not  offend  me"  tearfully  murmured  the  af- 
flicted girl. 

*'  If  the  madness  of  my  love  offend  you/'  pursued 
Max,  unheeding  the  low- voiced  interruption,  "  you 
may  teach  me  to  curb,  to  smother,  to  bury  in  my 
inmost  soul  the  feeling  that  consumes  it ;  but  there, 
there  it  will  burn  for  ever.  The  heart  of  Greyslaer 
can  know  no  second  love.'' 

'*  This  is  too,  too  much !  It  will  drive  me  mad  to 
speak  it ;  yet  nothing  else  w'U  extinguish  his  un- 
happy infatuation.  Max  Greyslaer,  near  me.  I 
have  long  since  given  you  the  regard  of  a  sister. 
I  hav9  watched  you  alike  in  your  studies  and  your 
sports,  with  the  pride  and  the  interest  of  an  elder 
sister;  and  a  sister's  fondness  would  have  followed, 
could  I  have  shut  out  the  painful  conviction  that  it 
was  not  with  the  affection  of  a  brother  you  regarded 
me.  This  interest  in  your  welfare  alone  would  im- 
pel me  to  leave  no  step  untried  to  root  out  this  fatal 
passion 'from  your  heart.  But  since  the  wild  avow- 
al of  this  night ;  since  the  declaration  of  desperate 
feelings  you  but  now  betrayed,  I  feel,  though  most 
innocently  the  cause  of  them,  that  you  have  still 
deeper  claims  upon  my  sympathy,  that  you  have 
new  ones  upon  my  gratitude.  I  feel  that  there  is 
but  one  way  to  break  the  miserable  chain  by  which 
you  would  link  your  frte  with  mine,  and  give  you 
back  to  the  higher  and  happier  destiny  for  which, 
by  every  circum5tr.iice  save  this  one  only,  vou  are 
.fitted.  Nay,  thank  me  not;  I  acknowledge  you 
have  a  right  to  my  confidence."  She  paused,  and 
the  features  upon  which  the  domestic  sorrows  of  the 
last  few  weeks  had  left  no  feeble  impress,  became 
agitated  with  an  expression  of  pain,  which  even  the 
recollection  of  that  night  of  horror  at  the  Hawks- 

VOL.  I.— O 


-  I 


/ 


168 


OBBTIIUUHI 


• 


nest  hftd  failed  to  trace.  Greyilaer  himself  awaited 
what  was  to  follow ;  and  her  words,  as  she  resumed, 
were  spoken  in  a  tone  low  but  clear,  firm  but  in- 
expressibly mournful.  "  There  is,"  she  said,  **  there 
is  but  one  man  livinff,  Greyslaer — one  as  Tile,  sor- 
did, ruthless,  and  malignant  as  vou  are  gentle,  gen- 
erous, and  noble — one  only  other  who  shares  the 
secret  you  have  this  night  wrung  from  me." 

«  And  he  is—" 

«*  My  husband !"  ' 

The  wretched  girl,  whose  lofty  spirit  was  still 
farther  wrought  up  by  the  high  and  magnanimous 
sentiment  oi  generosity  which  sustained  ner  for  the 
moment,  swooned  the  instant  she  had  pronounced! 
the  words.  The  weakness,  however,  quickly  pass- 
ed away,  as,  at  a  cry  of  alarm  from  Greyslaer,  the 
Indian  maiden  bounded  from  the  covert,  and  applied 
some  cool  glossy  leaves,  wet  with  the  dews  of  night, 
to  the  brow  of  the  sufiferer. 

The  blow  was  better  received  by  Greyslaer  than 
could  have  been  expected  or  hoped  for  by  her  that 
dealt  it.  He  was  indeed  astounded  and  petrified 
by  the  first  announcement;  but  all  consideration 
for  himself  seemed  the  next  moment  merged  in 
concern  for  his  unhappy  mistress. 

"  Lady,"  he  said,  dropping  on  one  knee  before  her, 
and  with  an  air  of  deep  respect  pressing  his  lips  to 
the  hand  which  she  did  not  attempt  to  withdraw, 
"  you  spoke  truly,  lady,  when  you  said  my  fate 
was  linked  with  yours ;  but  you  erred  in  believing 
that  aught  could  %ever  the  chain,  though  it  might 
lead  me  to  destruction.  As  a  lover,  after  what  I 
have  heard  this  night,  you  shall  never  know  me 
more.  But  you  have  still  left  me  something  to 
live  for,  in  taking  away  the  only  hope  that  could 
make  existence  happy.  You  have  given  me  back 
^  to  myself,  but  from  this  moment  I  am  more  com- 


▲  BOMAMCJ  OF  THM  MOHAWK. 


159 


pletely  youra  than  ever.  The  romantic  dream  of 
my  youth  has  passed  away,  the  madness  of  my 
misplaced  and  ooyish  love  is  orer ;  and  here,  by 
the  cool  light  of  manhood's  enfranchised  reason, 
here  upon  this  planted  rock,  with  ^on  brisht  heav- 
en as  witness  of  my  vow,  I  swear,  while  the  puls^a 
of  life  beat  within  me,  never  to  leave  nor  desert 
you  until  I  unravel  this  hideous  mystery,  and  break 
the  spell  in  which  some  fiend  has  manacled  your 
soul.  Nay,  shrink  not,  dearest  lady,  as  if  my  sworn 
service  might  prove  intrusive.  How  or  why  these 
devilish  meshes  have  been  woven  ar  jund  you,  I 
ask  you  not  to  explain  until  I  have  in  some  way 
approved  my  faith  and  loyalty.  But  be  it  when  nr 
where  you  choose  to  make  the  revelation ;  be  the 
deed  what  it  niiay,  you  claim  in  return  for  the  pre- 
cious boon  of  your  confidence,  if  human  hand  can 
work  it,  it  shall  be  done  at  your  bidding." 

A  light  as  from  a  maniac's  eye  ^ared  in  that 
of  Alida  as  the  youns  man  rose  slowly  up  before 
her  after  this  wild  and  solemn  adjuration. 

**  No,  no,  Greyslaer,'*  she  cried,  shaking  back  thd 
long  tresses  which  had  fallen  in  disorder  over  her 
neck  and  shoulders.  "  No,  Greyslaer,  thou  art  not 
yet  dear  enough  to  me  to  share  the  fruition  of  the 
hoarded  hope  I  have  lived  upon  for  years.  Alida's 
own  hand  shall  alone  avenge  Alida!  For  what 
else  have  I  cherished  the  strength  of  this  useless 
frame  ;  for  what  have  I  forgot  my  woman's  nature, 
and  shared  your  schooling  in  feats  of  arms  with 
my  brother?  Think  you  it  was  an  idle  caprice 
of^my  sex,  or  the  perverted  taste  of  an  Amazon, 
that  made  me  choose  pistol  and  rapier,  instead 
of  needle  and  distaff,  K)r  my  amusement?  No, 
Max  Greyslaer ;  my  hand,  as  well  as  my  heart,  hath 
been  schooled  for  years  to  the  accomplishment  of 
one  only  end,  and  they  will  neither  of  them  fail 


-■■'»« 


160 


OBBTILABB  ; 


11    It 


'i  mil 


me  at  my  purpofe.  That  i»,  if  this  poor  brain  hold 
out.** 

And,  pressing  both  hands  to  her  temples,  the  un- 
fortunate young  lady  looked  so  bewildered  for  a 
moment,  that  Greyslaer  could  hardly  resist  the  con- 
viction that  her  intellects  were  disordered.  Yet,  if 
such  were  indeed  the  case,  how,  he  thought,  could 
her  mind  be  so  well  balanced  in  regard  to  all  other 
subjects  ?  In  reference  to  this  one,  too,  her  reason, 
though  disturbed,  was  not  clouded;  the  agitation 
of  the  fountain  did  indeed  hide  its. depths  from 
view,  but  the  water  was  bright  and  limpid  still. 

If  it  be  true,  however,  "  that  great  wit  to  mad- 
ness nearly  is  allied,"  while  gleams  of  insanity  have 
been  discovered  in  minds  which  have  exercised  a 
wide  and  enduring  influence  over  mankind,  and, 
mastering  their  disease  till  the  last,  have  left  in 
death  the  wisest  of  their  survivers  doubtful  as  to 
the  suspicion  that  has  attached  to  them  ;  then  might 
a  far  more  experienced  observer  of  human  nature 
than  young  Greyslaer  be  at  fault.  Nor,  indeed, 
were  it  just  to  conclude,  only  from  what  he  had 
witnessed,  that  the  senses  of  Alida  were  deranged. 
The  sentiments  which  she  had  just  uttered  were 
indeed  abhorrent  to  the  nature  of  her  sex,  to  her 
Christian  education,  and  all  her  early  associations 
of  refinement.  But  while  the  excitement  under 
which  she  spoke  would  sufficiently  account  for  her 
momentary  air  of  wildness,  there  was  none  of  the 
incoherence  of  distraction  in  her  speech;  and  as 
for  nature  and  education,  the  first  had  been  shock- 
ed, overthrown,  and  changed  by  the  outrage  which 
trampled  upon  it,  and  the  last — the  last  is  but  an 
artificial  barrier,  that  at  once  gives  way  when  the 
former  has  become  perverted. 

While  these  reflections,  or  others  not  unlike  them, 
passed  hurriedly  through  the  mind  of  Greyslaer, 


A  ROMANCI  OF  TU  MOHAWK. 


161 


rain  hold 

,  the  un- 
ed  for  a 
the  con- 
Yet,  if 
ht,  could 
all  other 
\i  reason, 
agitation 
ths  from 
.  still. 
i  to  mad- 
inity  have 
ercised  a 
Lindi  and, 
re  left  in 
;ful  as  to 
iien  might 
Bin  nature 
r,  indeed, 
,t  he  had 
deranged, 
jred  were 
ex,  to  her 
Bociations 
jnt  under 
nt  for  her 
tne  of  the 
and  as 
m  shock- 
ige  which 
is  but  an 
when  the 

ike  them, 
vreyslaer, 


the  loTely  subject  of  them  seemed  too  busied  with 
her  own  conflicting  thoughts  to  observe  the  earnest 
and  anxious  gaze  that  was  riveted  upon  her  coun- 
tenance. At  last,  as  if  shaking  off  the  load  that 
weighed  upon  her  spirits,  and  recoverins  from  the 
attitude  of  dejection  that  for  a  moment  bowed  her 
commanding  form,  she  said,  in  a  calm  voice, 

**  I  would,  Mr.  Greyslaer,  that  you  could  forget 
what  has  passed  between  us  this  night.  I  have 
been  hasty  in  permitting  you  to  commit  yourself  to 
take  an  interest  in  my  affairs  which  they  do  not 
deserve  at  your  hands.  I  have  thought  ot  the  mis- 
chievous consequences  of  yielding  you  a  more  full 
and  complete  confidence ;  and  it  would  be  ungen- 
erous in  me  to  claim  your  active  sympathy  for  the 
blind  and  partial  revelation  of  my  sorrows  already 
made.  I  beseech  you  to  remember  only  the  friend.- 
ly  interest  with  which  I  requite  your  regard,  and  to 
forcet  all  else  that  has  passed  between  us." 

These  formal  words,  which  struck  chillingly 
upon  the  ear  of  Greyslaer,  were  pronounced  in 
that  measured  tone  of  superior  self-possession  with 
which  a  master-spirit  may  sometimes  address  an 
inferior,  blended  with  the  air  of  kind  authority 
which  considerate  age  will  put  on  when  conversing 
with  inexperienced  youth.  But,  though  she  knew 
it  not  yet,  the  ascendancy  which  the  generous  and 
haughty-souled  Alida  had  hitherto  exercised  over 
the  mind  of  her  lover  was  gone  for  ever;  and  Greys- 
laer made  her  feel  that  it  was  so  in  his  reply. 

**  An  hour  ago,  Miss  De  Roos,  and  I  was,  per- 
haps, the  rash  and  doting  boy  you  think  me.  Rash 
in  aspiring  to  the  hand  of  one  so  gifted  as  yourself, 
dotinff  in  that  I  dared  to  tell  you  of  my  passion ; 
but  though  I  still  bear  you  a  regard  passing  the 
love  of  kindred,  however  near,  boy  I  am  no  longer. 
The  day-star  of  my  youth  has  set  for  ever ',  the  dei* 

0  a 


f 


-W ' 


^. 


162 


ORSYUJLBB 


Hl'f"' "!'■'■    :•''':'' 


tiny  of  my  life  is  written ;  for  good  or  for  evil,  *tif 
henceforth  twined  with  yours.  If  vou  repent  the 
share  you  may  have  had  in  thus  determining  my 
fate,  if^it  be  a  generous  concern  for  my  welfare 
that  prompted  your  words,  your  anxiety  is  thrown 
away.  It  is  too  late  for  you  to  recede ;  and  I — I 
have  thrown  my  cast,  and  am  determined  to  stand 
the  hazard  of  the  die  !" 

"  And  how,"  said  the  lady,  with  an  irresolute,  un- 
easy air,  that  perhaps  betrayed  a  mingled  feeling  of 
jealous  pride,  of  growing  self-diffidence,  and  newly- 
awakened  respect  for  the  lofty  and  decided  tone 
the  youth  assumed  so  unexpectedly,  "  how,  Greys- 
laer,  am  I  to  avail  myself  ot  any  service  which  you  ^ 
might  render  me  ?"  - 

"By  designating  the  villain  at  whose  life  you 
aim,  and  leaving  me  to  avenge  your  injuries." 

"  Speak  you  in  earnest.  Max  Greyslaer  ?  Do  you 
think  me,  then,  capable  of  such  ignoble  and  cold- 
blooded selfishness  ?  so  ignoble  as  to  place  my  mor- 
tal quarrel  in  the  hands  of  one  who  is  a  stranger  to 
my  blood ;  so  selfish  as  to  requite  affection  by  im- 
posing a  task  that  may  lead  to  death?" 

"  Well  spoken,  young  missus,  like  a  gal  of  spunk 
as  you  are,  exclaimed  a  harsh  voice  near  by,  while 
a  brawny  ruffian,  leaping  from  the  thicket,  and  stri- 
king the  rock  with  a  short  Indian  war-club  as  he 
gained  his  footing  upon  it,  placed  himself  between 
Greyslaer  and  Alida.  "What,  ho!  younker,"  he 
cried ;  "  you  would  add  to  the  account  that  is  chalk- 
ed up  agin  you  already,  would  you  ?  God  help  you 
in  his  own  way ;  Hut,  unless  the  devil  fail  wild  Wat 
afore  then,  you  will  find  him  a  hard  reckoner;  that 
is,  if  your  carcass  first  escape  a  roasting  at  the  hands 
of  the  bloody  Mohawk." 

'*  Stand  off,  ruffian,"  muttered  Greyslaer,  choking 
with  passion,  as  he  saw  the  savage-looking  fellow 


mm 


A  BOMANCI  OF  TBB   MOIUWK. 


163 


circling  the  waist  of  Alida  with  one  arm,  while, 
weaponlesi  and  feeble  from  his  recent  wound,  he 
felt  himself  incapable  of  protecting  her. 

*'  Fair  words,  fair  wordii,  if  you  please,  my  young 
master ;  I  come  here  only  to  rescue  this  lady  from 
Indian  captivity ;  and,  as  the  Redskins  are  still  my 
friends  in  the  main,  I  should  be  sorry  to  rob  the 
stake  doubly  by  knocking  you  in  the  head." 

"  Oh,  Max,"  murmured  Alida,  who  had  hitherto 
stood  as  if  paralyzed  with  horror,  "  strive  not  with 
this  dark  and  terrible  man,  who  even  now  has  step 
ped,  as  from  the  grave,  between  us." 

"  And  so  you,  too,  eh,  my  fraulein,  thought,  like 
many  others,  that  Red  Wolfert  nad  kicked  the  buck- 
et, because  I  took  Wat's  advice,  and  cleared  out 
for  a  while,  to  save  my  neck,  till  things  should  blow 
over.  But  times  have  changed,  my  spanking  lass ; 
tall  fellows  hold  up  their  heads  once  more,  and  I 
come  here  to  exercise  the  rights  of  one  of  them  over 
Mistress — " 

"  Speak,  speak  but  one  word,  I  pray  you,  Alida ! 
Is  this  horrible  ruffi — is  this  your  husband  ?" 

"Dunder  und  blixem,  and  suppose  I  be,"  cried 
the  man,  catching  the  words  out  of  the  mouth  of 
Alida,  whose  senses  seemed  too  much  benumbed 
to  make  a  ready  reply.  *'  Don't  you  see  how  the 
gal  wilts  like  when  I  look  at  her,  and  who  but  her 
natural  husband  should  make  a  woman  cower  ?' 

"  In  the  name  of  the  devil,  who  are  you,  that  speaii 
so  fitly  in  his  tongue  V  said  Greyslaer,  making  a 
wary  movement  toward  the  man,  in  the  dr  :perate 
hope  of  clutching  from  his  hand  the  short  r  i<xce  with 
which  he  dallied. 

"  A  clerk  of  St.  Nicholas,  ^;ho  will  despatch  you 
with  a  message  to  his  employer  if  you  move  a  step 
nearer,  verfluchter  kerl." 

"If  you  be  the  fiend  himself,  here's  at  you," 


164 


OBBTSLABR. 


/     ^^' 


shouted  Greyelaer,  bounding  furiously  forward.  The 
contest  was  too  unequal  to  leave  a  hope  of  success 
for  the  invalid  youth,  had  he  succeeded  in  closing 
with  his  antagonist ;  but  the  latter,  to  whom  the  now 
senseless  Alida  seemed  no  encumbrance,  as  he  ac- 
tively leaped  aside,  laughed  to  scorn  the  vain  efforts 
of  his  assailant,  who  still  pressed  impetuously  upon 
him.  His  words,  however,  betrayed  his  srowing 
irritation,  as,  backing  step  by  step  toward  the  edge 
of  the  rock,  so  as  still  to  keep  the  full  swing  of  his 
arm  while  the  youth,  attempted  to  close  in  upon 
him, 

"  Gemeiner  hund,  madcap,  idiot,  dolt,  take  that 
to  quiet  you,"  he  cried,  at  last  dealing  a  blow  that 
brought  Greyslaer  instantly  to  the  ground. 

Valtmeyer,  for  the  ruffian  was  no  other  than  that 
redoubtable  outlaw,  waited  not  to  see  how  durable 
might  be  the  effects  of  the  blow,  but,  plungine  into 
the  bushes,  he  glided  along  a  slippery  log  with  his 
burden,  thridding  the  morass  like  one  accustomefd 
to  its  dangers.  Stricken  down,  and  stunned  for  the 
moment,  Greyslaer  was  slowly  regaining  his  feet, 
when  the  first  object  he  beheld  was  the  Mohawk 
maiden,  gazing,  with  clasped  hands  and  bewildered 
eyes,  toward  the  thickets  into  which  the  outlaw 
had  disappeared.  His  towering  form,  his  sallow 
features,  his  long  beard  of  grizzled  red,  and  aspect 
altogether  foreign  and  hideous  to  her  sight,  made 
him  no  unfit  personification  of  those  evil  spirits  of 
the  forest  which  the  Indian  girl  would  naturally 
paint,  as  the  very  reverse  in  appearance  from  the 
smooth-cheeked  warriors  of  her  race ;  and  the  sin 
pie  sylvan  maiden,  as  she  breathed  a  prayer  for  the 
ill-fated  pale  sister  of  her  sex,  thought  that  the  of- 
fended genius  of  the  place  had  permitted  some  fiend 
to  intrude  within  his  nallowed  circle,  and  punish  on 
the  spot  the  first  violation  of  the  Haunted  Rock. 


BOOK    SE  COND. 


CHAPTER  I. 


TORY   COUNCILS. 

"  The  Sachetn  spoke  : 
^  Resentment  rising,  seemed  to  choke 

The  words  of  wrath  that  forth  had  broke  ; 
But  conscience  lent  her  bland  relief, 
And  cahnly  spoke  the  injured  chief." 

Samds. 

The  calamity  which  had  overtaken  the  family  of 
the  Hawksnest,  the  mysterious  fate  of  Miss  De 
Roos,  and  the  presumed  death  of  one  so  popular  as 
young  Max  Greyslaer,  excited  the  deepest  sensation 
through  the  Valley  of  the  Mohawk.  The  two  po- 
litical parties  which  divided  the  district  viete  as  yet 
by  no  means  fairly  in  the  field  against  each  other ; 
and  the  warfare  of  words  being  still  carried  on  for  a 
season  before  a  £nal  appeal  to  arms  waif  had,  re- 
crimination rose  high  between  either  faction. 

The  patriots  did  not  hesitate  to  charge  the  Tories 
with  being  the  instigators  of  this  ruthless  attack 
upon  the  peace  of  a  private  family,  while  the  loyal- 
ists, affecting  to  be  equally  indignant  at  the  outrage, 
taunted  the  Whigs  with  being  the  first  to  bring  the 
laws  of  the  country  into  contempt  by  their  own  fac- 
tious conduct.  The  catastrophe,  however,  seemed 
in  one  respect  to  have  a  salutary  effect.  It  opened 
the  eyes  of  both  parties  to  the  horrors  of  a  civil  war. 


166 


ORBY8LASB; 


Both  seemed  willing  to  pause  and  await  the  effect 
of  circumstance  in  preventing  their  being  farther 
embroiled ;  and  both  united  with  apparent  sinceri- 
ty in  passing  public  resolutions  against  the  employ- 
ment of  the  Indians  to  strengthen  either  side,  what- 
ever the  issue  might  be,  and  whenever  that  issue 
might  be  finally  joined. 

But  thf  ball  of  Revolution  was  in  motion ;  and 
though  its  course  might  be  for  the  time  more  noise- 
less, neither  its  momentum  nor  its  accumulating 
forces  were  diminished.  The  organization  of  party, 
and  the  dangerous  tampering  with  the  Indian  tribes, 
went  on  as  industriously  as  ever;  the  Whigs  dis- 
playing the  greatest  coolness,  foresight,  and  address 
in  the  one  respect,  whik  the  Tories  were  equally 
successful  in  the  other. 

Months,  in  the  mean  time,  passed  away,  and  the 
operations  of  either  began  to  show  results  which 
must  produce  a  crisis.  The  civil  authority  passed 
into  the  hands  of  the  patriots,  who  found  an  excuse 
for  a  stern  exercise  of  that  authority  in  sending 
General  Schuyler,  with  a  large  body  of  militia,  to 
disarm  the  disaffected,  in  the  same  moment  that  the 
predominant  influence  of  the  Tories  in  Indian  poli- 
tics was  fully  consummated.  The  tribe  of  Oneidas, 
after  long  nobly  withstanding  both  threats  and  cajo- 
ling, were  at  length  driven,  by  the  intriguing  arts  of 
the  latter,  to  detach  themselves  from  the  confedera- 
cy of  the  Six  Nations,  and  assume  that  neutral  po- 
sition which  was  afterward  only  abandoned  for  a 
warm  espousal  of  )he  patriot  cause. 

It  was  Christmas  morning ;  and  the  sun,  which 
shone  through  the  sacred  grove  of  Onondaga,  touch- 
ed with  gold'the  pendant  icicles  which  drooped  from 
the  heavy  boushs  that  had  wailed  for  a  thousand 
winters  around  the  ancient  citadel  of  the  Ongi- 
Honwe.    The  adjacent  lake,  whose  frozen  surface 


N. 


"*♦ 


A.  ROMANCB  Or  TUB  MOHAWK. 


167 


was  freshly  covered  with  virgin  sucw,  smiled  in  the 
glad  light  of  the  morning,  whose  early  rays  were 
glinted  back  from  bush  and  thicket,  that  were  all 
clothed  with  the  same  dazzling  mantle.  A  few 
shreds  of  smoke  ascending  straight  upward  into  the 
clear  blue  sky  was  the  only  object  stirring  amid  the 
bright  and  tranquil  scene. 

But  for  this  faint  indication  of  the  neighbourhood 
of  man,  the  lonely  stockade,  that  was  dignified  with 
the  name  of  "  The  Onondaga  Castle,"  seemed  whol- 
ly deserted ;  and  he  who  gazed  within  would  have 
looked  in  vain  for  the  imposing  assemblage  of  pa- 
triarchal sachems  which,  in  the  previous  century, 
was  likened  to  the  Senate  of  Rome  by  Frontenac, 
when  that  adventurous  Frenchman,  like  another 
Brennus,  intruded  with  h^'s  armed  followers  into  the 
great  council  of  the  Aganuschion.'*  One  lonely  fe- 
male was  the  only  occupant  of  the  building. 

The  stranger,  who  was  aware  of  the  consideration 
in  which  the  sex  were  held  among  the  Ongi-Honwe, 
and  who  knew  that  this  rude  building  contained  the 
great  national  altar  of  their  confederacy,  might  at 
first  have  mistaken  the  woman  now  before  him  for 
one  of  those  pious  devotees  who  successively,  for 
ages,  watched  the  sacred  central  council-fire  of  the 
Aganuschion.  But  the  mean  features  and  apparel 
of  the  withered  old  crone,  as  she  sat  crouched  in  the 
ashes,  would  soon,  upon  a  close  survey,  have  proved 
that  she  could  not  claim  to  be  numbered  among  "  the 
principal  women  of  the  Six  Nations." 

*  "  The  national  council  (of  the  Six  Nations)  took  cognizance  of 
war  and  peace,  of  the  affairs  of  the  tributary  nations,  and  of  their 
negotiations  with  the  French  and  EngHsh  colonies.  All  their  pro- 
ceedings were  conducted  with  great  deliberation,  and  were  distin- 
guished for  order,  decorum,  and  solemnity.  In  eloquence,  in  dig- 
nity, and  in  all  the  characteristics  of  profound  poUcy,  they  surpassed 
an  r«8embly  of  feudal  barons,  and  were,  perhaps,  not  far  inferior  to 
the     eat  Amphictyonic  council  of  Greece.*' — De  Witt  Clinton. 


1|^ 


# 


II  ,>i 


w-*'        m 


168 


ORBT8LA1BR 


'^Wah  !**  exclaimed  the  hag,  as,  with  a  crooked 
stick,  she  vainly  pushed  a  wet  and  blackened  ember 
toward  the  smouldering  ashes ;  "  could  not  the  fools 
leave  enough  of  the  fire  that  has  burned  for  a  thou- 
sand winters  to  warm  these  old  bones  with  ?  May 
the  Evil  One  broil  them  on  his  own  for  meddling  in 
the  quarrel  of  Corlear*  with  the  Sagernash !  May 
their  tribes  be  dispersed  like  these  scattered  em- 
bers !  May  they,  like  them,  be  trampled  upon  by — " 
Stopping  short  in  her  imprecation  as  she  caught 
sight  of  a  half-extinguished  branch,  which  still  lay 
smoking  in  the  corner  where  it  had  been  tossed,  the 
crone  hobbled  toward  it,  and  thrust  it  afresh  in  the 
ashes,  applying,  at  the  same  time,  the  air  from  her 
wheezy  lungs  to  rekindle  the  flame. 

Her  efforts  were  followed  by  a  momentary  igni- 
tion, indicated  by  a  few  sparks,  that  made  her  mut- 
ter still  more  angrily,  as,  to  avoid  them,  she  threw 
back  her  head,  from  which  the  long  gray  hair  droop- 
ed in  the  ashes.  The  dying  brand  crackled  feebly, 
sighed  like  a  living  thing,  and  expired. 

**  A-rai-wah !  The  Sacred  Fire  of  Onondaga  is 
extinguished  for  ever !" 

As  she  spoke  the  hag  gathered  her  knees  toward 
her  body  with  one  hand,  and  resting  her  shrivelled 
cheek  upon  the  other,  commenced  rocking  backward 
and  forward,  croaking  a  harsh  song,  in  which  lam- 
entations and  curses  were  so  wildly  intermingled 
that  the  eldrich  dirge  partook  equally  of  the  char- 
acter of  either. 

But  this  wretched  remnant  of  mortality  was  not 
the  only  mourner  for  the  extinguished  pride  and 
power  of  the  now  broken  Iroquois  confederacy. 

♦  "Sons  of  Corlear,"  or  "The  Children  of  Quidar,"  were  the 
torms  by  which  "  The  Six  Nations"  indifferently  distingvished  the 
inhabitants  of  the  Colony  of  New- York  ;  and,  though  first  adopted 
during  the  Dutch  ascendancy  over  the  province,  we  find  them  used 

In£an  treaties  and  speeches  down  to  quite  a  recent  period. 


in 


IJ: 


*.M. 


▲  ROMANCE  OF  THB  MOHAWK. 


169 


a  crooked 
ned  ember 
»t  the  fools 
for  a  thou- 
ith?    May 
leddling  in 
.ah !     May 
ttered  em- 
ipon  by — ^" 
the  caught 
jh  still  lay 
tossed,  the 
■resh  in  the 
r  from  her 

jntary  ignir 
le  her  mut- 
,  she  threw 
hair  droop- 
ded  feebly, 

)nondaga  is 

lees  toward 
|r  shrivelled 
^  backward 
which  1am- 
itermingled 
If  the  char- 

lity  was  not 
pride  and 
[deracy. 

Jar,"  were  the 
itingnished  the 
Ih  first  adopted 
■find  them  used 
lent  period. 


The  Christmas  sun  shone  merrily  upon  tbe^irost- 
ed  window-panes  of  Johnson  Hall ;  gleamed  upon 
the  armour  that  decked  its  walls,  and  tinted  with 
freshness  the  evergreens  that  festooned  its  ancient 
portraits.     But  here,  as  at  Onondaga,  its  beams 
seemed  to  smile  only  as  in  mockery  of  man  and  his 
doings.    Here  were  men,  haggard  and  worn  with 
long  watching,  grouped  in  disorder  throughout  the 
broad  corridor.     Some  were  engaged  in  anxious  or 
angry  debate  together ;  some,  as  if  wearied  out  with 
action  or  discussion,  were  stretched  upon  the  oak6n 
settles,  regarding  with  dogged  indifference  the  exci- 
ted disputes  of  their  comrades ;  and  one,  more  swar- 
thy of  feature  than  the  rest,  a  tall  man  of  a  fierce 
and  haughty  aspect,  was  striding  impatiently  to  and 
fro,  casting  ever  and  anon  a  hasty  look  at  the  stair- 
case, whose  polished  banister  he  repeatedly  struck 
with  his  tomahawk  in  passing.*    Twice  he  had  as- 
cended several  steps,  as  if  determined  to  seek  above 
some  person  who  had  exhausted  his  patience  in  de- 
laying an  interview ;  and  then  pamsing  a  moment  as 
he  thundered  anew  with  his  hatchet  upon  the  stairs, 
he  turned  abruptly  upon  his  heel,  breathing  indig- 
nation affainst  those  who  appeared  not  to  heed  his 
savage  signal. 

At  last  a 'Strong-framed  man,  hastily  arrayed  in  a 
dressing-gown,  accompanied  by  a  Highland  officer 
in  full  uniform,  presented  himself  upon  the  landing 
of  the  staircase.  The  features  of  either  were  cloud- 
ed ;  but  of  the  two  the  former  seemed  to  be  labour^ 
ing  under  the  greater  emotion.  His  look  was  agi- 
tated, but  not  alarmed  ;  distempered,  but  not  angry. 

"  Brant !"  said  he,  with  some  severity,  "  at  any 
other  time  I  would  no^  overlook  this  want  of  re- 
spect ;  I  would  not  put  up  with  this  rudeness  from 

*  The  marks  of  the  Indian  tomahawk  are  shown  upon  the  staira 
of  the  hall  to  this  day. 

Vol.  I.— P 


•#' 


170 


ORET8LAXR 


Li'l  I  I, 


anyiiinan  breathing.  But  since  we  are  all  here 
companions  in  affliction  together,  a  quarrel  with  so 
old  a  friend  of  my  house  would  not  become  me." 

"  Companions  together,  Sir  John  ?  You  honoUr 
the  poor  Indian  by  placing  him  in  such  company, 
even  in  your  speech^  though  you  can  find  no  room 
for  him  in  your  writings  when  making  terms  with 
the  enemy  ! 

"  Speak,  Alan  MacDonald,  and  dispel  these  un- 
generous suspicions  of  our  friend  !  Tell  him  the 
circumstances  under  which  we  have  been  compelled 
to  treat  with  the  commissioners  from  Albany." 

"I  am  wholly  at  a  loss  upon  what  particular 
point  to  answer  Captain  Brant,"  said  MacDonald, 
coolly.  "  He  seems  already  to  be  aware  that  we 
have  accepted  terms  from  General  Schuyler,  who  is 
inarching  hitherward  with  three  thousand  men; 
and,  unless  report  belies  them,  with  a  hundred  Mo- 
hawk warriors  in  his  train  !" 

"  Yes  !  a  pack  of  frightened  curs  from  the  lower 
castle,  with  a  handful  of  naked  renegades  from  my 
own  people.  The  hungry  offcasts  from  my  tribe, 
who  nope,  with  Schuyler's  countenance,  to  make 
spoil  of  the  blankets  and  provisions  that  are  laid  up 
here  for  our  projected  campaign.  But  tell  me,  Sir 
John  Johnson,  is  the  falling  off  of  these  wretches 
to  excuse  this  desertion  of  your  Indian  friends,  after 
entangling  us  in  this  contemptible  quarrel  ?  God 
of  my  people !  that  the  power  and  glory  which  thou 
hast  suffered  them  to  attain  should  be  thus  ruinous- 
ly perilled  in  a  stranger's  brawl !  that  the  league 
of  our  ancient  confederacy,  cemented  by  the  blood 
of  a  thousand  victories,  should  dissolve  like  snow- 
flakes  upon  the  river,  because,  in  an  evil  moment, 
we  consented  to  interfere  in  a  paltry  dispute  about 
a  few  halfpence  of  revenue  between  some  peddling 
foreigners,  who  would  cut  each  other's  throats  for 


A   ROMANCE   OF  TUB   MOHAWK. 


171 


)me  me. 


lus  ruinous- 


gain  !  Nay,  sir,  never  lay  your  hand  upon  your 
sword  !  and  you,  ye  prying  knaves,  unless  ye  stand 
back  at  nnine  or  your  master's  bidding,  shall  be 
dealt  with  less  daintily  than  the  rebel  general  will 
handle  ye.  Back,  I  say,  or  my  signal  call  shall  fill 
this  hall  with  those  who'll  flood  it  with  your  gore ! 
By  the  valour  of  a  Mohawk !  but  it  were  a  good 
deed  to  call  in  my  warriors,  and  supplant  such  rec- 
reants with  men  who  will  hold  these  walls  against 
all  odds  till  they  crumble  around  them  !" 

And  the  indignant  chieftain  strode  haughtily  to 
and  fro,  as  if  really  balancing  in  his  mind  this  mad 
procedure,  while  the  baronet,  too  much  incensed  by 
the  insolence  of  Brant  to  make  any  concession  to 
bis  wrath,  was  yet  too  politic  to  trust  himself  with 
a  hasty  reply.  The  cool  and  discreet  MacDonald 
now  put  in  a  word  to  sooth  the  exasperated  mood 
of  the  demi-savage,  as  he  considered  the  chieftain 
when  thus  excited. 

"  Captain  Brant  is  too  experienced  a  soldier  not 
to  be  aware  of  the  impossibility  of  maintaining  our 
present  position  against  the  overpowering  force 
which  has  been  unexpectedly  sent  against  us." 

"  And  could  not  these  heavy-limbed  fellows  have 
taken  to  the  bush,  and  shared  a  hunter's  fare  for  a 
few  weeks,  until  the  first  burst  of  the  storm  should 
have  spent  its  fury  ?  Did  you  think,  in  taking  up 
arms  in  a  forest-land  like  this,  where  every  rock  is 
a  fortress,  every  tree  a  citadel,  did  you  think  that 
the  struggle  was  to  be  decided  by  the  capture  of  a 
few  towns  and  villages  ?" 

"We  did  not,  noble  Thayendanagea,"  said  Sir 
John,  taking  the  words  from  the  mouth  of  MacDon- 
ald. "  Nor  do  we  now  believe  that  one  compul- 
sory compromise  like  the  present  is  ta  terminate 
the  resistance  of  the  king's  friends  in  this  rebellious 
colony.    Had  we  treated  with  the  rebels  for  peace 


S.       li'!' 

J'  r 

m      '  I 

MM  !S 


172 


ORBTILASR  ; 


throuflhout  the  proyince,  our  brave  Indian  brethren 
would  never  have  been  forgotten  in  the  treaty;  but 
our  capitulation  refers  only  to  the  loyalists  in  this 
individual  district.  Our  friends  are  still  in  arms  in 
other  parts  of  the  colony ;  and  even  here  the  gallant 
gentlemen  whom  you  see  around  you  will  yet  again 
lift  up  the  royal  banner,  or  flock  to  it  upon  the  first 
opportunity,  if  Thayendanagea  keeps  it  flying  in 
the  field.    I — I  myself  will  lead  them  to — ^ 

"  Hold,  Sir  John !  unless  you  would  have  your 
spoken  promise  give  the  lie  to  your  written  pledge. 
Remember  that  *  Sir  John  Johnson,  having  given 
his  parole  of  honour  not  to  take  up  arms  against 
America^  he  can  never — ^"  ]. 

"  Where,  where  do  you  find  such  words  asl 
those  ?"  cried  the  baronet,  hardly  knowing  what  he 
said  in  his  confusion. 

"  The  title  of  the  instrument  runs  thus,  please 
ye,  Sir  John,"  replied  Brant,  coolly  drawing  a  writ- 
ten document  from  his  bosom,  the  preamble  of 
which  he  began  to  read  in  a  measured,  sarcastic 
tone :  "  *  Terms  oflered  by  the  honourable  Philip 
Scliuyler,  major-general  in  the  army  of  the  Thir- 
teen United  Colonies,  and  commanding  in  the  New- 
York  department,  to  Sir  John  Johnson,  baronet,  and 
all  such  other  persons  in  the  county  of  Tryon  as 
have  evinced  their  intentions  of  supporting  his  ma- 
jesty's ministry  to  carry  into  efiect  the  unconstitu- 
tional measures  of  which  the  Americans  so  justly 
complain  :'  do  you  mark  the  emphasis  ?"  said  the 
Mohawk,  scornfully,  while  another  storm  seemed 
gathering  on  his  brow,  as,  repeating  the  phrase,  he 
went  on,  *'  *  of  which  the  Americans  so  ^^5%  com- 
plain ;  and  to  prevent  which  they  have  been  driv- 
en to  the  c|feadful  necessity  of  having  recourse  to 
arms :  first,  that — '*  Pshaw  !  you  have  it  there  in 
the  third  article,  and  may  read  for  yourselves  if  you 


A  ROMANCE  OF  THE  MOHAWK. 


173 


have  forgotten  the  contents  of  the  document,  when 
your  signatures,  confirming  your  acceptance  of 
these  terms,  can  scarcely  be  dry  upon  the  original.'* 

The  chieftain,  as  he  spoke,  flung  the  paper  con- 
temptuously at  the  feet  of  Sir  John,  who  compre- 
hended, without  looking  at  it,  that  it  must  be  a  copy 
of  his  terms  of  surrender,  furnished  by  the  politic 
Whigs  to  shake  the  loyalty  of  Brant. 

"  It  is  in  vain.  Captain  Brant,"  said  he,  with  sad 
composure, "  to  conceal  from  you  the  extent  of  our 
misfortunes.  My  poor  services,  in  a  military  capa- 
city, are  indeed  lost  to  the  crown  ;  and  these  brave 
Scottish  gentlemen,  though  suffered  to  retain  their 
si^-arms,  are  placed  by  their  parole  in  the  same 
unmppy  predicament  as  myself.  But  the  king  has 
many  as  capable  servants  as  we,  who  may  still  as- 
sert their  loyalty  in  the  field ;  and  if  the  fear  of 
chilling  their  zeal  in  my  royal  master's  cause  in- 
duced me  to  withhold  from  you  the  extent  of  the 
rebel  triumph,  I  know  I  shall  be  forgiven  by  so  ar- 
dent and  generous  a  partisan  as  Thayendanagea." 

The  tones  in  which  his  gallant  friend  spoke,  not 
less  than  the  words  which  he  uttered,  seemed  in- 
stantly to  change  the  mood  of  the  stormy  chieftain, 
who  paced  to  and  fro  for  a  moment  before  he  replied. 

"  Sir  John,"  said  Brant,  with  feeling,  **  I  have 
nothing  to  forgive.  It  is  you  of  whom  I  should 
ask  pardon.  You  are  nearer  to  the  great  king  than 
I  am,  and  know  best  how  much  of  his  affairs  to  sup- 
press and  how  much  to  reveal.  I  have  always 
borne  you  the  love  of  a  brother ;  and  for  that,  if  for 
nothing  else,  you  will  forgive  me  for  thinking  you 
faithless  when  you  were  only  unfortunate.  But  I 
have  heard  that  within  the  last  hour,"  he  added, 
with  that  air  of  calm  fatalism  characteristic  of  the 
Iroquois,  even  while  using  the  language  of  a  Eu- . 
ropean,  "  I  have  heard  that  which  might  well  dis- 

P2 


»*<■  4;* 


174 


OEBTflJkKR 


M 


■"^ 


temper  me :  the  confederacy  of  the  Aganuschion 
ii  broken.  A  formal  asaemblage  of  Sachems  at 
Onondaga  has  dissolved  the  league  of  the  United 
Cantons  that  existed  beyond  the  traditions  of  our 
race.  Our  Great  Council  Fire  is  extinguished,  and 
the  Six  Nations,  whose  delegates  consummated  the 
fatal  ceremony  with  the  peaceful  unanimity  of  a 
band  of  brothers,  meet  hereafter  only  as  broken 
tribes  arrayed  in  deadly  hostility  to  each  other.*' 

"  Not  so,  noble  Sachem  !'*  cried  the  baronet,  with 
brightening  features.  **  It  is  only  the  Oneidas,  with 
their  adopted  children,  the  Mohicans,  who  have  se- 
ceded  from  the  union.  The  whole  Tuscarora  tribe, 
the  greater  portion  of  the  Onondagas,  the  fiery  Sen- 
ecas,  and  valiant  Cayugas,  are  even  now  assem Ang 
under  Guy  Johnson  at  Oswego,  and  wait  but  for 
you,  with  your  indomitable  Mohawks,  to  lead  them, 
m  all  their  ancient  pride  of  arms,  upon  the  foe. 
The  delegates  of  the  loyal  tribes  attended  the  great 
central  fire  only  to  gain  time  and  blind  the  lazy 
eyes  of  the  Oneidas,  who  convoked  the  council. 
Their  protest  against  the  confederacy  taking  any 
part  on  either  side  in  this  war  was  not  receivecl. 
They  declared  their  secession  from  the  union,  and 
the  sacred  fire  of  the  united  brethren  was  extin- 
guished. But  the  act  was  illegal ;  for,  as  you  know, 
the  Mohawks  were  not  represented  in  the  council  ;* 
and  the  holy  flame  of  union  and  power  may  again 

^  *  It  may  have  been  under  tome  such  pretence  as  this  that  the 
refugee  Mohawks,  who  found  a  home  in  Upper  Canada  after  the 
Revolution,  ventured  to  dedicate  a  place  there  as  the  seat  of  '*  The 
Great  Council  Fire  of  the  Six  Nations,"  and  call  it  Onondaga, 
while,  in  fact,  all  the  confederates  but  themselves  remained  with- 
in the  territory  of  New- York,  keeping  the  original  Onondaga 
among  their  reserved  lands  till  the  present  day.  Red  Jteket,  the 
famous  Seneca,  stirred  up  a  serious  dispute  about  this  exclusive 
tssum^ion  both  of  the  nrM'onal  shrine  and  general  name  of  his 
countiymen.— See  Sumt^a  Life  of  Brant,  vol.  ii. 


▲  ROMANOB  OF  TBB  MOHAWK. 


175 


be  relighted  in  a  blaze  of  glory  which  ihall  illumine 
the  land." 

The  eye  of  the  Indian  sagamore  flashed  with 
fierce  dehght ;  his  mien  assumed  a  lofty  bearing,  as 
of  one  who  felt  himself  yet  destined  to  be  the  leader 
of  armies,  while  his  nostril  dilated  as  if  already  he 
snufifed  the  battle.  These  indications  of  strong  emo- 
tion, however,  passed  away  like  a  flash,  even  as  Sir 
John  pronounced  the  last  words  which  seemed  to 
have  kindled  them ;  and  then  the  face  of  the  Mohawk 
assumed  that  immovably  stoical  expression  which 
rendered  it  impossible  to  surmise  what  was  passing 
in  his  bosom,  and  which,  upon  ihe  countenance  of 
an  Iroquois,  always  covered  his  deepest  and  most 
earnest  thoughts. 

It  might  be  that  vague  dreams  of  ambition,  which 
had  heretofore  passed  through  the  mind  of  Brant ; 
that  plans  of  personal  elevation  at  the  expense  of  his 
less  cultivated  countrymen,  which,  in  moments  of 
temptation,  had  suggested  themselves,  and  been  in- 
dignantly discarded  from  his  thoughts  at  the  sener- 
ous  call  of  pafPiotism,  or  reluctantly  abandoned  from 
a  conviction  of  their  impracticability  under  the  ex- 
isting organization  of  the  Aganuschion  republic — it 
may  be  that  these  dark  and  aspiring  schemes  were 
busy  within  him  now ! 

It  might  be — and  the  loyal,  disinterested  charac- 
ter of  the  man,  his  romantic  love  of  his  doomed 
race,  and  his  pertinacious  aversion  to  European  civ- 
ilization, while  evincing  in  his  own  conduct  many  of 
its  benefits,  render  this  solution  by  far  the  most  like- 
ly— it  might  be  that  that  silent  mien  and  fixed  ex- 
pression of  countenance  concealed  the  devotional 
communings  of  his  heart — a  patriot's  thanksgiving 
for  a  people  saved. 

**  Captain  Brant  looks  grave,"  said  MacDonald ; 
"  he  thinks  that  the  responsibility  of  his  part  has 


!lll 


176 


OKBYILASR  ; 


iii;^ 


'•li'V 


i^A       t|li 


W 


increaied  just  in  proportion  that  the  chance  of  his 
playing  it  successtully  with  our  aid  has  diminished 
oy  that  aid  being  now  withdrawn." 

If  a  taunt  were  implied  in  this  speech,  it  was  so 
■lig[ht  as  to  pass  unheeded  by  Brant ;  but  his  heart 
was  not  inaccessible  to  the  subtle  appeal  to  his  van- 
ity which  it  conveyed. 

"  I  see,  I  see,"  said  he,  casting  his  eyes  in  musing 
fashion  upon  the  ground,  and  smiling  grimly,  as  if  it 
were  impossible  wholly  to  suppress  the  pleasurable 
thrill  of  pride  which  he  wished  to  conceal.  "  The 
flfeat  king  depends  now  upon  the  Indians  to  preserve 
this  colony  for  him.  Our  warriors  are  to  keep  the 
rebels  in  check  until  the  great  king  can  send  over 
such  an  army  as  shall  make  it  safe  for  his  loyal  sub*- 
jects  once  more  to  rise  and  help  him  !  Good !  very 
good  !  He  shall  find  that  wb  are  to  he  depended 
updn^  The  voice  and  manner  of  the  Sachem  sud- 
denly altered  with  the  last  words,  as  he  raised  his 
eyes  and  cast  a  stern  and  haughty  gaze  around. 
*' Yes,  gentlemen,"  he  continued,  in  a  more  cool  and 
lofty  tone,  "  the  largest,  and  the  fall'est,  and  most 
fertile  part  of  this  rich  province  is  now  left  to  the 
guardianship  of  one  who,  among  yourselves,  bears 
but  the  rank  of  an  English  captam ;  and  I  would 
have  you  know  that  it  is  not  from  ignorance  of  the 
value  of  the  pledge,  of  the  cost  of  protecting  it,  or 
of  the  opportunity  of  successfully  treating  with  the 
Americans  for  the  heritage  which  you  are  compel- 
led to  abandon,  that  I  here,  in  the  name  of  my 
countrymen,  assume-its  charge.  With  you.  Sir 
John  Johnson,  as  the  official  representative  of  your 
sovereign,  I  might  have  made  my  own  terms  for 
the  better  defined  security  of  our  rights  under  the 
British  dominion;  but  a  Mohawk  chieftain  is  no 
trafficker  of  loyalty.  Your  king  shall  learn  how  far 
he  may  depend  upon  the  faith  and  valour  of  the  Iro- 


r      li 


li! 


In,  ',. 


▲  ROMAIfCI  OF  TBI  MOHAWK. 


177 


quoif ,  and  the  future  will  reveal  the  meaiure  of  hit 
justice  to  us  in  return.*  Our  power  to  lerve  the 
British  cause  remains  to  be  proved.  You  at  leasti 
Sir  John,  can  bear  witness  to  the  readiness  of  our 

will:' 

**  He  is  a  slave  that  doubts  either,**  cried  the  bar- 
onet. **  Though  the  terrible  Virginian  himself  should 
take  the  field  against  you,  his  wisdom  and  his  valour 
will  find  a  match  in  Thayendanagea.  And  /,  my 
noble  friend,  though  prevented  by  fate  from  serving 
with  you  as  a  comrade  in  arms,  I,  while  watching 
your  glorious  career,  will  console  myself  with  the 
reflection  that  I  have,  by  temporizing,  preserved  the 
services  of  these  brave  followers  to  my  sovereign  till 
they  can  be  used  with  a  hope  of  success  hereafter.** 

The  last  words,  which  were  addressed  as  much 
to  the  by-standers  as  to  Brant  himself,  had  their  full 
influence  in  reassuring  the  spirits  of  the  former; 
and  MacDonald  confirmed  their  effect  by  immedi- 
ately adding, 

"Sir  John  could  certainly  not  better  serve  our 
cause  in  the  present  exigency  than  by  securing  him 
in  the  midst  of  the  party  which  we  wish  to  keep  to- 
gether. We  are  still  strong  in  numbers  throughout 
the  district,  and,  while  he  remains  with  us,  we  shall 
never  want  a  leader  at  the  proper  moment  for  stri- 
king.** 

**  Your  parole  of  honour  !**  said  Brant,  drawing 
himself  up  and  looking  with  a  lowering  eye  upon 
the  company. 

*  The  difficulties  with  the  British  ffovemment  which  imhittered 
the  closing  years  of  Brant,  his  neglected  petitions,  the  invasion 
alike  of  the  property  and  the  political  rights  of  his  tribe,  and  the 
forced  necessity  he  was  under  of  asserting  his  legal  claim  to  the 
half  pay  of  a  British  captain,  might  suggest  some  doubts  as  to  the 
wisdom  of  his  confidence  in  the  justice  of  the  crown.  But  have 
the  Oneidas,  who  espoused  the  cause  of  the  republic,  fared  better 
than  the  Mohawks  1    See  note  at  the  end  of  the  volume. 


178 


ORBYSLAEll ; 


111;!  ill 


e 


"  Though  given  to  outlawci,  it  shall  never  be  bro- 
ken but  for  cause,"  replied  Johnson.  "  But  the  reb- 
els, drunken  with  their  first  success,  will  soon  sup- 
ply us  with  legitimate  grounds  for  disregarding  the 
pledge  they  have  wrung  from  us." 

"  Well,  you  white  men  know  best  how  far  ye  may 
trust  each  other,"  observed  the  chief,  with  a  signifi- 
cant and  pitying  smile,  while,  in  drawing  his  mantle 
around  him  to  depart,  he  muttered  less  audibly  be- 
neath its  folds  something  still  more  contemptuous. 
His  precise  words  were  unheard,  but  their  purport 
was  sufficiently  intelligible  to  r^  ise  the  ire  of  Mac- 
Donald,  who  mutely  folded  his  arms  when  the  chief- 
tain stretched  out  his  hand  to  exchange  a  parting 
salutation  with  him. 

"  Kay,  Captain  MacDonald,"  said  Brant,  "  I  part 
not  thus  with  a  brave  comrade  and  tried  soldier.  It 
was  of  the  white  man^s,  and  not  the  Scotchman's, 
faith  of  which  I  spoke,  and  you  will  pardon  the  prej- 
udices of  the  Indian,  however  you  would  resent  the 
suspicions  of  the  friend." 

"  I  am  not  so  Quixotic,  Captain  Brant,  as  to  pro- 
claim myself  the  champion  of  my  race,"  replied  the 
other.  "  But,  in  giving  you  my  hand,  as  I  now  do, 
1  will  venture  to  suggest  that,  if  your  knowledge  of 
our  usages  disinclines  you  to  practise  European  ur- 
banity, you  are  not  fortunate  in  your  mode  of  rec- 
ommending Indian  courtesy — by  your  own  exam- 
ple." 

"  Good !"  said  Brant,  smiling.  "  Very  good  !" 
he  repeated,  shaking  again  the  hand  of  him  who 
had  chastened  him,  while  MacDonald,  whose  whim- 
sical expression  of  countenance  showed  how  much 
he  was  confounded  at  the  odd  impression  which  his 
pithy  lecture  had  made  upon  his  half-savage  friend, 
followed  his  retreating  figure  with  his  eye  as  the 
Mohawk  strode  out  of  the  apartment. 


\  .. 


A  ROHANCB  OF  THE  MOHAWK. 


179 


"  The  infernal  strange  dog  !"  cried  the  Scotch- 
man ;  "  I  never  know  where  the  devil  to  find  him." 

"  What,  Alan,"  said  Johnson,  laughing,  **  is  my 
red  brother  Joseph  a  puzzle  to  you  ?  An  Indian, 
man,  is  like  a  woman ;  you  must  follow  his  hu- 
il^ours  without  attempting  to  regulate  them.  Brant's 
touches  of  civilization  are  like  grains  of  wit  in  a 
madman's  brain ;  they  just  suffice  to  mislead  him 
who  would  discover  some  regular  system  of  ideas 
in  the  lunatic's  disordered  senses,  but,  for  all  that, 
the  fellow  has  sense  and  courage,  and  is  as  true  as 
steel  in  matters  of  moment." 

And  thus  ended  this  singular  interview,  which, 
commencing  in  a  scene  of  passion,  that,  with  its  at- 
tendant grouping  of  strongly  contrasted  characters, 
might  well  exercise  the  pen  of  the  dramatist,  ter- 
minated, as  do  most  romantic  situations  in  real 
life,  with  commonplace  occurrence  and  discussion  ; 
which,  however  actual  in  themselves,  detract,  it 
must  be  confessed,  not  a  little  from  the  poetic  dig- 
nity of  their  relation.  But  "  these  are  the  days  of 
fact  nor  fable ;"  and  the  legendary  writer  of  our 
time  must  content  himself  with  detailing  mere  fa- 
miliar tradition,  until  another  Scott  shall  arise  to 
revivify  the  dry  bones  which  it  is  our  humble  task 
to  collect  together,  clothe  them  anew  with  all  the 
attributes  of  breathing  life,  and  make  them  walk 
the  earth  afresh,  dignified,  exalted,  and  adorned  by 
the  prodigal  drapery  of  immortal  Genius. 


ititi'  "' 


9 


180 


GRETSLABR ; 


1   i!< 


IJ*^ 


V4 
kJ 

[i"i 


CHAPTER  II. 


THE    BORDERERS. 


"  When,  lo,  he  saw  his  courser  reined 
By  an  unwelcome  hand !" — Earl  Rupbrt. 

There  was  a  proud  complacency  upon  the  brow 
of  the  Indian  chief  when  he  found  himself  alone 
beyond  the  precincts  of  the  Hall.  The  morning 
was  cold,  and  the  snow  lay  deep  upon  the  ground  ; 
but  while  the  latter  offered  no  impediment  to  his 
devouri-'g  steps  as  he  rapidly  stalked  along,  the 
glowing  tnoughts  within  his  bosom  seemed  to  make 
him  insensible  to  the  former.  His  mantle  was  in- 
deed wrapped  closely  around  him,  but  it  was  from 
the  tension  of  strong  emotion  that  his  hands  were 
clinched  in  its  folds.  His  open  throat  and  lofty 
head,  whose  plumes  tossed  in  the  light  breeze  that 
swept  the  eminence  from  which  he  was  descend- 
ing, betrayed  none  of  that  sensibility  to  the  ele- 
ments which  belittles  the  mien  of  the  cloaked  and 
cowering  form  that  now  confronts  him  in  his  path. 

It  is  a  half-frozen  horseman,  who  shrinks  in  his 
saddle,  as  if  he  would  thus  make  his  weight  as 
light  as  possible  to  his  jaded  steed.  The  propor- 
tions of  his  figure  are  concealed  by  a  military  ro- 
quelaire* wrapped  closely  around  him,  and  his  face 
is  so  mufHed  up  with  furs  as  barely  to  permit  his 
eyes  to  see  the  road  before  them ;  yet  both  are 
instantly  recognised  by  the  keen-eyed  Mohawk. 
Some  new  emotion  now  agitates  his  features,  and 
a  look  of  sudden  wrath  has  succeeded  to  that  of 


(M 


▲  &OMANOB  or  THB  MOHAWK. 


181 


calm  and  pleasurable  pride.  He  stops  short  in  his 
rapid  walk,  and  plants  himself  in  the  centre  of  a 
little  bridge  that  here  crosses  the  highway,  just  as 
the  mounted  trayeller  has  gained  its  opposite  side. 
The  horse  recoils  at  the  barbaric  apparition  in  his 
path,  and  his  rider,  looking  up  for  the  first  time, 
beholds  the  cause  of  his  affright. 

"  Why,  you  d — d  Indian  scarecrow,  what  m^n 
you  by  standing  there;  to  frighten  cattle  on  the 
king's  highway — wae,  boy  !  wa — e — gently,  now, 
gently — stand  out  of  my  path,  you  stupid  blockhead, 
or,  God  help  me,  I'll  ride  right  over  you."  And, 
suiting  the  action  to  the  word,  the  distempered  and 
insolent  traveller  plunged  both  spurs  into  his  horse, 
which  bounded  forward  upon  the  bridge  ;  but,  quick 
as  light,  the  sinewy  arm  of  the  Indian  has  grappled 
his  bridle-rein,  and,  with  starting  eye  and  distend- 
ed nostril,  the  mastered  steed  stands  trembling. 

"  Why,  Joseph  Brant,  my  good  fellow  !  who  the 
devil  expected  to  meet  you  here  !  You  must  for- 
give my  haste  in  speaking  as  I  did,  and  I'll  pardon 
this  abrupt  salutation  in  so  old  a  friend,  ii  you'll 
only  loose  my  rein  and  let  me  push  ahead  to  the 
Hall." 

"  There  is  time  enough  for  that,"  said  the  chief, 
smothering  his  indignation  at  the  man's  insolent  fa- 
miliarity.    "  What  news  bring  you  from  below  ?" 

"  Schuyler's  within  half  a  day's  march,  with 
three  thousand  Whig  militia ;  that's  all,  my  good  fel- 
low ;  and  now  let  me  carry  the  news  to  our  friends. 
We  must  up  stakes,  I  take  it,  from  these  parts,  and 
go  and  lend  a  lift  to  the  loyalists  in  the  southern 
corner  of  the  province  :  and  now,  my  dear  Joseph, 
I  ;vish  you  a  good-morning." 

"  Softly,  softly,  Mr.  Bradshawe.  There  is  no 
necessity  for  this  great  haste.  Sir  John  is  already 
in  possession  of  all  the  news  you  can  give  him." 

Vol.  I.— Q 


% 


182 


OtfBYSLABR; 


m''? 


i:!   ^ 


11*   -n 


"  He  is  ?  The  devil !  I  met  <'  U  arch-rebel 
Duer,  with  a  brace  of  kindred  Whigs,  at  a  roadside 
inn  last  night — rYates  and  Glen,  I  think  they  were  ; 
and  I  half  guessed  that  their  venturing  so  far  in  the 
valley  boded  no  good  to  our  cause.  Surely  they 
cannot  have  brought  the  news,  conveyed  in  the 
shape  of  a  threat,  irom  Schuyler  ?" 

^  They  were  commissioners  to  settle  the  terms 
of  Sir  John's  surrender,  and  Schuyler's  present  ad- 
vance to  take  possession  of  Johnstown  shows  how 
well  they  succeeded." 

The  countenance  of  the  traveller  grew  dark  as 
midnight  while  Brant  thus  briefly  and  coolly  told 
him  of  the  discomfiture  of  his  party.  The  chiel 
waited  a  moment  for  him  to  make  some  comment, 
but  his  astonishment  was  so  great  that  he  had  not  a 
word  wherewith  to  reply ;  and  Brant,  in  the  same 
calm  tone,  went  on.  *'  These  tidings  seem  to  be 
somewhat  strange  to  Mr.  Bradshawe.  He  has  kept 
himself  aloof  from  his  friends  of  late.  It  is  ai;  least 
four  months  since  I  heard  of  him  in  these  parts." 

"  Yes,  why,  yels,"  said  the  other,  confusedly. 
"  Some  business  took  me  south  last  summer  about 
the  time  the  Hawksnest  affair  and  subsequent  dis- 
appearance of  young  Greyslaer  put  the  country  in 
hot  water.  None  but  you,  Joseph,  cpuld  have  been 
at  the  bottom  of  that  hubbub." 

"  I  heard  of  Mr.  Bradshawe  in  Schoharie,"  said 
Brant,  dryly,  and  with  an  elevation  of  his  eyebrows 
so  slight  as  to  be  almost  imperceptible. 

*'  Schoharie  ?  ,  Oh  ! — ay — yes,  I  have  been  in 
Schoharie.  I've  just  come,  indeed^  from  down  that 
way.  I  heard  of  this  rebel  rising  while  in  Scho- 
harie, and  rode  for  dear  life  to  warn  Sir  John." 

"It  is  use'fiss  to  seek  him  now  upon  such  an  er- 
rand ;  and  if  Mr.  Bradshawe  wishes  to  give  his 
reasons  for  having  so  long  kept  out  of  the  way  of 


a-. 
i  u 


▲  ROMANCB  OF  THE   MOHAWK. 


183 


his  political  friends,  I  would  advise  him  to  take  some 
opportunity  when  the  baronet  is  in  a  happier  mood." 

"  A  d — d  politic  suggestion !  Josey,  you  certainly 
are  iro  fool.  But  where  the  devil  are  you  leading 
my  mare  to  ?" 

•  "  Why,"  said  Brant,  with  a  careless  laugh,  "two 
such  suspicious  characters  as  we  are  should  not  be 
seen  holding  so  long  a  talk  here  on  the  highwayt 
when,  by  moving  a  few  yards,  we  can  throw  that 
knoll  between  us  and  any  travelling  impertinents 
that  may  chance  to  pass.  I  would  confer  with  you, 
too,  Mr.  Bradshawe,"he  added,  more  gravely, "  where 
we  are  not  liable  to  interiuption.'? 

"  You  are  a  queer  chap.  Brant.  Leave  you  alone 
to  have  your  own  way.  But  here  we  are  in  the 
hollow ;  3"d  now  what  have  you  gc*  to  say  ?  Be 
quick,  man,  for  I'm  getting  devilish  cold." 

"  You  will  be  still  colder  before  I  have  done  with 
you,  Walter  Bradshawe,  unless  you  reply  promptly 
to  my  questions." 

"  Why,  my  good  Joseph,  what  the  h— " 

"  Hold  !  no  more  of  that,  sir ;  blasphemous  and 
vulgar-souled  as  you  are,  you  can  still  ape  the  de«. 
coram  of  a  gentleman  when  it  suits  your  turn ;  and 
you  shall  perish  here  like  a  crushed  hound  in  the 
snow,  unless  ycu  practise  it  now." 

"  This  to  me,  you  d — d  Indian  dog !"  cried  Brad- 
shawe, jerking  his  rein  with  one  hand,  and  plucking 
a  pistol  from  his  holster  with  the  other.  But,  before 
he  could  cock  the  piece,  a  blow  from  Brant's  toma- 
hawk sent  it  flying  through  the  air  into  an  adjacent 
snowbank,  while  in  the  same  moment  the  desperado 
was  hurled  from  his  saddle,  and  lay  prostrate  at*the 
feet  of  the  Mohawk. 

"  One  mocion,  one  word,  a  look  of  insolence,  and 
I'll  brain  you  on  the  spot ;  that  snow-wreath  shall 
be  your  winding* sheet,  and  the  April  thaws  will 


1 


164 


ORITILABS ; 


alone  rereal  your  fate,  if  the  wolves  ia  the  mean 
time  spare  that  wretched  carcass." 

'*'VVho  the  devil  thinks  of  resisting,  with  knife 
and  tomahawk  both  at  his  throat  ?  Ugh — ugh,  you 
have  knocked  all  the  breath  out  of  my  body.  Gad ! 
Brant,  you  inherit  a  white  man's  brawn  from  your 
Dutch  grandfather.  Hold  !  yon  Indian  devil ;  don't 
murder  me  for  squinting  at  a  fact  which  all  the 
country  believes  except  yourself." 

"  They  lie  who  say  I'm  other  than  a  Mohawk  of 
ihe  full  blood,"  exclaimed  the  Indian,  fiercely,  but 
d'-Tiwing  back,  at  the  same  time,  as  if  stung  by  an 

"  Perhaps  they  do ;  but  you'll  not  prove  the  gen- 
uineness of  your  blood  by  spilling  mine,"  replied  the 
v!»^^.  r,  picking  himself  leisurely  from  the  ground. 
*'  Give  me  my  other  pistol,  son  of  Nickus^  and  we 
can  dispute  the  matter  more  upon  an  equality." 

"  Bradshawe,  you  are  a  brave  man,  and,  as  such, 
I  cannot  wholly  scorn  you  ;  and  were  your  honour 
but  half  as  bright  as  your  courage,  you  should — 
But  enough  of  this.  You  will  be  wise,  sir,  now,  in 
fooling  no  longer  with  my  patience,  but  reply  with 
directness  to  what  I  have  to  ask  you.  You  are  re- 
puted to  have  sense,  Bradshawe,  and  you  see  I  am 
not  to  be  trifled  with." 

"  Why,  as  to  my  sense,  Sachem;  it  seems  to  have 
been  pretty  much  at  fault  in  dealing  with  you.  I've 
always  thought  you  a  devilish  shrewd  fellow  for 
one  who  was  only  quarter  white  man^ — nay,  let  that 
cursed  knife  aloi,e — I  say  I've  thought  you  so, 
that's  a  fact ;  though  I  may  sometimes  have  laugh- 
ed in  my  sleeve  when  you  got  on  your  high  ropes, 
and  put  on  quality  airs  like  Sir  John.  I  don't 
know  how  it  is,  however ;  I  still  believe  you  to  be 
pretty  much  of  an  adventurer  like  myself;  but,  if 
you  are  not  a  lineal  chief,  as  your  enemies  say,  by 


nf . 


A  ROMANCB   OF  THE   MOHAWK. 


185 


Gr— d,  you  deserye  to  be  a  born  aristocrat  for  the 
neat  style  in  which  you  do  the  thing.  I  speak  the 
truth,  I  do,  by  G — d.  I  could  put  it  in  softer  phrase, 
as  you  know  full  well ;  for  you  have  seen  me  hu- 
mouring the  shallow  fools  who  ape  nobihty  here 
among  us  provincials.  But  I  talk  to  you  as  a  man 
that  can't  be  come  over  by  flummery ;  and  now  go 
ahead  with  your  questions,  which,  I  suppose,  relate 
to  the  De  Roos  girl  that  Red  Wolfert  snicked  off  so 
handsomely." 

"  Red  Wolfert,"  said  Brant,  scornfully.  "  Wolfert 
Valtmeyer  dared  not  have  touched  captive  of  mine 
but  as  the  instrument  of  a  more  powerful  scoundrel 
than  himself;  and  you,  Bradshawe,  must  answer 
for  the  acts  of  your  creature.  Where  is  Miss  De 
Roos  ?" 

"  Where  ?  Ask  Wolfert.  If  I  use  the  rascal 
now  and  then  to  farther  our  political  intrigues,  does 
it  follow  that  I  know  aught  of  his  amorous  doings  ? 
I  suspected  that  you  would  hold  me  accountable  for 
his  dealings  with  this  wench ;  for  it  certainly  was  a 
bold  flight  for  such  a  kite  as  Valtmeyer  to  strike  at 
game  like  her." 

*'  Beware,  Mr.  Bradshawe ;  there  are  limits  to 
my  patience,  and  you  cannot  deceive  me.  It  was 
through  your  aid  that  Au-neh-yesh  escaped  from 
the  hands  of  the  rebels.  He  repaid  you  with  infor- 
mation that  you  valued  beyond  aught  else,  for  no 
scruple  could  prevent  you  from  availing  yourself  of 
it  to  tear  the  young  lady  from  the  refuge  in  which  I 
had  placed  her.  You,  and  you  only,  with  the  ruf- 
fian Valtmeyer  and  my  wayward  and  unhappy  son 
for  your  instruments,  have  spirited  away  this  girl, 
for  whose  safety  both  our  friends  and  our  foes  hold 
me  now  accountable.  Bradshawe,  I  tell  you,  if  one 
hair  of  her  head  be  injured,  I  will  wreak  vengeance 
10  dire  that  men  shall  stand  aghast  when  they  hear 

Q2 


% 


186 


0RBT8LABB; 


m 


i\  4 


\IL 


4 


of  it.  The  tortures  of  the  Indian  stake  shall  be 
merciful  to  those  which  you  shall  suffer,  till  the 
hapless  fate  of  Thayendanagea's  captive  is  forffot- 
ten  in  the  hideous  punishment  of  her  destroyer. 

The  voice  of  Brant  was  calm  and  low  as  he  pro-* 
nounced  these  words;  but  the  ascendancy  of  his 
mind  was  now  so  completely  established  over  that 
of  Bradshawe,  that,  daring  and  reckless  as  he  was, 
they  fell  with  withering  effect  upon  his  spirit ;  and 
he  even,  for  a  moment,  shivered  like  the  criminal 
who  has  just  heard  his  awful  and  irrevocable  doom 
passing  the  lips  of  one  who  is  endowed  with  all 
earthly  authority  to  inflict  the  final  sentence  of  a 
judicial  tribunal.  \' 

"  She  is  safe — I  believe — I  know — she  is — she 
must  be  safe,"  stammered  forth  the  bold  borderer, 
who,  for  the  first  time  in  his  life  perhaps,  felt  con- 
scious that  his  heart  quailed  and  his  cheek  blanched 
beneath  the  eye  of  a  fellow-mortal.  "  I  left  her  last 
where  I  believed  no  earthly  harm  could  reach  her ; 
and,  so  help  me  Heaven,  Sachem,  there  breathes 
no  human  being  whom,  with  my  life,  I  would  soon- 
er guard  from  injury  than  this  same  lady." 

*'  Yes  !  as  the  cougar  would  protect  the  hare  from 
the  wolf  that  disputes  his  prey  with  him.  Where 
left  you  Miss  De  Roos  V* 

The  distressed  air  of  mortification  that  now  mark- 
ed Bradshawe's  features  showed  that  he  would 
gladly  evade  the  question.  He  even  turned  his 
head  quickly  on  one  side,  as  if  recourse  to  flight 
suddenly  suggested  itself  upon  the  emergency.  But 
the  snowdrift  that  walled  in  the  little  hollow  in 
which  he  stood  shut  out  the  desperate  hope  on  that 
side.  He  turned  his  eager  gaze  to  the  other,  but  it 
straightway  fell  before  the  basilisk  eye  of  the  In- 
dian, who,  itill  grasping  the  bridle  of  Bradshawe*  s 
horse,  stood  with  one  foot  advanced,  and  his  right 


A  ROMANO!  OV  THB  MOHAWK. 


187 


hand  upon  his  knife,  warily  watching  his  victim. 
But  the  hand  fell  to  his  side,  the  foot  was  drawn 
back,  and  the  deadly  glare  of  his  eye  changed  to  a 
cold  and  stony  gaze  in  the  moment  that  the  crest* 
fallen  borderer  slunk  back  to  his  former  dogged  atti- 
tude of  unresisting  dejection. 

**  Where  is  the  lady  ?"  repeated  Brant,  between 
his  clinched  teeth.  , 

"  Take  my  secret,  then,  if  I  must  speak — the 
Cave  of  Waneonda,  where  the  stream  which  you 
Indians  call  the  River  of  Ghosts  holds  its  way  far 
under  ground  beneath  the  forests  of  Schoharie,  there 
in  the — Hah !  what  sounds  are  those  ?  May  my 
tongue  be  blistered  if  its  swiftness  to  betray  has — " 

"  *Tis  Schuyler^s  advancing  column.  I  know  the 
sound  of  his  bugles,''  cried  Brant,  uneasily;  and, 
even  as*  he  spoke,  a  squadron  of  troopers,  who  form- 
ed the  advanced  guard  of  the  Republican  forces, 
wheeled  around  an  angle  of  the  road,  and  came 
gallopine  forward  in  all  the  hasty  disorder  of  new- 
ly-levied militia  flushed  with  their  first  success  in 
the  operations  of  war. 

Their  common  danger — for  Brant  and  his  recent 
adversary  were,  on  personal  as  well  as  political 
grounds,  equally  obnoxious  to  the  popular  party  in 
their  district — impelled  them  to  simultaneous  flight. 
But  even  at  such  an  exigency,  when  his  life  seem- 
ed on  the  point  of  being  yielded  up  to  the  sabres  of 
this  lawless  and  hot-headed  soldiery,  the  generosity 
of  the  chieftain  did  not  desert  him.  *'  Save  your- 
self," cried  he  to  Bradshawe,  in  the  same  moment 
flinging  his  bridle  into  the  hand  of  the  royalist  offi- 
But  remember !  if  you  have  deceived  me 


cer. 


here,  you  had  better  perish  on  this  spot  than  live  to 
meet  my  vengeance." 

The  last  words  were  either  unheard  or  unheed- 
ed by  Bradshawe.    He  made  no  reply,  but,  leaping 


188 


orvvslasr; 


,'  ■' 


iwiftly  into  his  saddle,  struck  the  spurs  into  his 
horse,  and  dashed  across  the  fields,  so  as  lo  titrn 
the  right  flank  of  the  advancing  party,  and  place  a 
hill  between  himself  and  the  threatening  danffer. 
He  had  emerged  from  the  hollow  so  suddenly  tnat 
he  gained  a  hundred  yards  almost  from  his  starting- 
place  before  he  was  observed  by  the  troopers. 
And  it  was  well  for  him  that  such  was  the  case  ; 
for,  as  his  dark  figure  swept  the  snowy  waste,  it 
offered  so  distinct  a  mark  for  the  yeomanry  sharp- 
shooters, that  the  volley  which  they  fired,  after  vain- 
ly hailing  him,  must  inevitably  hay&  proved  fatal 
but  for  the  distance.  The  militiamen,  as  Brant  had 
perhaps  anticipated,  instantly  wheeled  from  the 
road,  and  with  tumultuous  cries  launched  in  pur- 
suit of  the  flying  ofi[icer  ;  and,  though  the  chase  was 
abandoned  with  equal  suddenness  when  they  found 
themselves  floundering  through  deep  snowdrifts  af- 
ter a  fuffitire  as  well  mounted  as  themselves,  and 
who  had  soon  placed  a  ridge  of  upland  between 
himself  and  their  fire,  yet  the  circle  which  they 
made  in  again  recovering  the  road  enabled  the 
stealthy  Indian  to  slide  unseen  along  a  snowy 
swale,  and  sheltei  himself  in  a  thicket  of  ever- 
greens, from  which  he  soon  seized  an  opportunity 
to  escape  into  the  deep  forest. 

Brant  did  not  retire,  however,  until  he  had  first 
seen  the  march  of  the  Congressional  army,  whose 
main  body  was  now  at  band.  The  forces  were 
newly  levied ;  but,  though  exhibiting  few  of  the.dis- 
ciplined  traits  oT  veteran  soldiery,  yet  the  sturdy 
yeomanry  wore  individually  that  martial  air  which 
characterizes  Frontiers-men  skilled  from  their  boy- 
hood to  the  use  -of  arms,  alike  in  the  wild  forest- 
hunt  and  the  Indian  foray.  The  clump  of  cedars 
in  which  Brant  had  ensconced  himself  crowned  a 
rocky  knoll  which  commanded  a  turning  of  the 


▲  BOMAIfOB  OF  TBI  MOHAWK. 


189 


Toad ;  and  the  stern  though  dejected  mien  with  which 
he  looked  upon  the  pageant ;  the  gaze,  half  sullen, 
half  admiring,  which  he  fixed  upon  the  serried  bat- 
talion, as  banner,  a^a  plume,  and  fluttering  scarf, 
and  bright  bayonet  flashing  in  the  frosty  air,  swept 
beneath  his  view,  might  have  marked  the  chief  ai 
the  personified  genius  of  his  fated  race  ;  a  warrior 
prophet,  who  gazed  admiringly  upon  the  battle 
cloud  whose  thunders  he  knew  must  destroy  hit 
people. 


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Corporation 


33  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  NY.  14580 

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aSBTSLABB ; 


CHAPTER  III. 


THK  FASTNESS. 


^  Bat  see,  along  that  mountain's  slope,  a  fiery  horseman  ride, 
Mark  his  torn  plume,  his  tarnished  belt,  the  sabre  at  his  side ;    ' 
His  spurs  are  buried  rowel  deep,  he  rides  with  loosened  rein; 

,    There*«  blood  upon  his  charger's  flank,  and  foam  upon  his  mane ; 
He  speeds  toward  the  olive-ffrove,  along  that  shaded  hill, 
God  shield  the  helpless  maiden  there,  if  he  should  mean  her  ill." 

Bbtant. 

Bradshawb,  after  the  interview  which  had  heen 
io  abruptly  commenced  and  broken  off  with  Brant, 
lost  no  timo^ih  making  his  escape  from  the  precincts 
of  Johnstown,  where  the  presence  of  the  patriot 
forces  made  every  moment  fraught  with  peril  to 
him.  Indeed,  after  escaping  so  nearly  from  their 
hands,  he  was  obliged  more  than  once  to  make  a 
wide  circuit  in  order  to  avoid  the  straggling  bands 
of  Whig  mijitia  that  seemed  pouring  along  the 
roads,  bent  upon  making  their  way  to  join  the  main 
column  of  Schuyler's  army. 

Schoharie  was  the  point  which  he  now  aimed  at 
makinff  as  quickly  as  possible ;  and  as  it  was  loner 
before  lie  could  venture  to  cross  the  frozen  river  and 
turn  his  horse's  head  upon  the  direct  route  he  wish- 
ed to  travel,  the  ^noble  animal  had  occasion  more 
than  once  to  rue  the  brutal  temper,  of  his  master,  as, 
ch  ifing  with  impatience  at  each  cause  of  delay  that 
interposed,  he  now  spurred  hotly  toward  the  bank 
of  the  stream,  and  now  wheeled,  from  its  brink,  or 
Teined  up  sharply  at  some  turning  of  the  road. 
Here  the  rapids,  or  the  evident  weakness  of  the  ice, 


''>: 


A  BOMANCB  OV  TBB  MOHAWK. 


191 


preTented  him  from  cro88in|; ;  there  the  deep  snow- 
driftSt  or  the  steep  and  slippery  banks,  preTcnted 
him  from  descending  to  the  frozen  highway ;  and 
now  again  there  were  appearances  upon  the  oppo- 
site shore  which  deterred  him  from  trusting  himself 
upon  the  snowy  waste,  where  his  dark  figure  cross^ 
iiig  over  might  be  seen  at  a  long  gunshot,  and  tempt 
some  idle  patriot  ranger,  or  officious  *'  committee-of- 
safety*'  member  to  bring  him  to  for  a  parley. 

The  immediate  personal  peril  weighed  not,  in- 
deed, a  feather  with  him.  Hut  to  be  recognised 
and  tracked  in  the  snow  to  his  ultimate  destination 
might  be  fatal  to  the  projects  which  he  had  now 
most  at  heart.  The  truth  is,  that,  though  Bradshawe 
had,  when  he  found  himself  so  hard  pressed  by 
Brant,  designated  the  Cave  of  Waneonda  as  the 

{>resent  retreat  of  Alida,  he  was  not  himself  perfect- 
y  assured  that  she  was  really  there,  though  his 
last  orders  to  his  creature  Yaltmeyer  had  been  to 
make  that  disposition  of  his  prize;  and,  believine 
that  his  wishes  in  this  respect  had  been  complied 
with,  he  was  actually  upon  his  way  to  the  cavern, 
when  the  rumoured  approach  of  Schuyler  induced 
him  momentarily  to  cnange  his  destination,  and 
make  the  best  oi  his  way  to  Sir  John  Johnson. 

Brant,  as  it  appeared,  had  been  misinformed  as  to 
Bradshawe's  keeping  himself  aloof  from  his  political 
friends,  and  attending  to  his  own  concerns  in  Scho- 
harie. His  actual  business  had  been  among  the 
Tories  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Wyoming,  whom 
he  succeeded  in  confirming,  and  drawing  off  in  a 
body,  to  unite  their  forces  with  a  band  of  Iroquois 
which  had  established  a  position  about  the  forks  of 
the  Susquehanna,  upon  the  confines'  of  New- York 
and  Pennsylvania.  And  this  absence  in  that  then 
unsettled  country  will  account  for  his  ignoruice  of 
the  projected  movement  and  subsequent  march  of 


192 


obbthulsii; 


lii 


the  patriots  upon  Johnstown,  until  he  had  reached 
thid  southwestern  settlements  of  Tryon  county. 

He  had  unexpectedly,  upon  an  order  from  Sir 
^  John,  started  upon  his  ezpeaition  immediately  after 
planning  the  abduction  of  Brant's  fair  captire, 
which  was  so  ruthlessly  consummated  by  his  crea- 
ture Yaltmeyer.  He  had  heard  of  Valtmeyer's  suc- 
cess only  through  an  Indian  runner  charged  with 
letters  from  Sir  John,  by  whom  Yaltmeyer  also  con- 
trived to  transmit  intelligence  from  himself.  The 
tidings  from  either  spoke  of  the  precarious  condi- 
tion of  their  party,  and  Bradshawe  determined  that, 
whatever  course  public  affairs  misht  take,  his  own 
private  views  should  not  necessarily  be  thwarted.  \ 

At  present  he  thought  only  how  he  could  best 
make  sure  of  the  prey  which  Yaltmeyer  had  thus 
far  secured  for  him. 

That  ruffian,  immediately  upon  the  seizure  of  his 
Tictim,  had,  by  the  aid  of  confederates,  transported 
her  to  a  lonely  cabin  upon  the  skirts  of  the  settle- 
ments, where  a  thrifty  innkeeper,  privately  associ" 
ated  with  the  outlaw  in  certain  matters  of  business 
best  known  to  themselves,  maintained  a  small  es- 
tablishment, which  he  dignified  with  the  name  of  his 
Dairy  Farm. 

The  inn  of  mine  host  lay  some  miles  distant  from 
this  possession  upon  the  public  hiehway.  During 
the  first  months  of  the  present  troubles  it  had  been 
used  alike  by  both  parties  as  a  rendezvous  for  their 
public  meetmgs.  But  as  the  cause  of  the  Whigs 
advanced  in  popularity,  the  opposite  faction  appear- 
ed to  have  withdrawn  their  patronage  from  the  house, 
though  there  were  some  shrewd  surmises, that  the 
landlord  did  not  therefore  suffer  in  his  coffers.  But 
when  it  was  whispered  that  the  Dairy  Farm  har- 
boured a  nest  of  Tory  spies,  and  served  merely  as 
a  sort  of  scouting-post  to  collect  "political  gossip 


▲  BOBIAIICB  OF  Tarn  MOHAWK. 


193 


from  the  inn  below,  the  close  inquiry  that  was  at 
once  instituted,  followed  by  an  examination  of  the 
tavern-keeper  before  a  committee  of  safety,  elicited 
nothing  to  inculpate  that  worthy,  and,  as  every  one 
thought,  much-injured  individual. 

An  old  black  woman  and  a  strapping  mulatto  lass, 
whose  labours  in  the  dairy  were  superintended,  from 
time  to  time,  by  the  pretty  daughter  of  the  proprie- 
tor, seemed  the  only  permanent  or  occasional  occu- 
pants of  the  place.  The  old  woman  was  deaf  and 
suffering  from  rheumatism ;  the  mulatto  seemed  an 
exception  to  thd  generality  of  her  quick-witted  race, 
in  being  as  stolid  and  stupid  of  intellect  as  she  was 
simple  and  isnorant ;  and  the  pretty  Tavy  Wingear 
was  known  the  country  round  as  a  sprightly,  frank, 
and  guileless  girl,  whom  no  one  would  think  of  ma^ 
king  the  depositary  of  a  political  secret.  All  suspi- 
cions about  the  Dairy  Farm  were  allayed,  and  it 
became  nearly  as  safe  a  house  for  the  royalist  par- 
tisans as  ever,  until  the  affair  of  the  Hawksnest, 
subsequent  to  which  the  Tories  had  been  shy  of 
holding  their  secret  meetings  anywhere  in  this  im- 
mediate neighbourhood. 

Such  was  the  spot  to  which  Valtmeyer  bore  his 
prisoner ;  and  here,  having  the  two  Africans  to  at- 
tend upon  her,  Alida  had  passed  even  months,  with 
DO  signs  of  approaching  rescue  to  cheer  her  solitude. 
Valtmeyer  was  often,  though  never  for  any  lenaUi 
of  time,  absent  from  the  house ;  and  irksome  as  this 
imprisonment  became,  yet,  though  he  proffered  her 
the  full  range  of  the  premises  whenever  his  eye  was 
there  to  watch  her  motions,  this  was  just  the  season 
when  confinement  to  her  chamber  became  most  wel- 
come. 

Long  weeks  wore  on,  and  the  hope  of  release  be- 
came almost  extinct  in  her  bosom.  The  summer 
was  gone ;  autumn,  with  its  varied  tints,  made  the 

Vol.  I.— R 


ii," 


ifci 


% 


':.r' 


'='*"  '■lip. 


104 


ORSTSLABK  ; 


forests  around  like  one  gorgeous  bed  of  tulips  to  the 
eye.  Winter  was  at  hand,  with  all  its  icy  rigours ; 
yet  the  lapse  of  the  seasons  and  the  change  of  the 
foliage,  as  she  viewed  it  from  her  window,  was  all 
that  varied  the  monotonous  hours  of  the  unhappy 
Alida.  Once,  indeed,  and  only  a  few  days  after  she 
was  first  immured  in  this  lonely  spot,  her  heart  leap- 
ed as  she.  heard  the  blithe  tones  of  a  gay  young  fe- 
male voice  beneath  her  window.  But,  flying  to  the 
casement,  she  was  scarcely  permitted  to  catch  a 
fflimpse  of  the  young  woman  from  whose  lips  came 
the  cheering  sound,  before  Valtmeyer  had  rushed 
into  her  apartment  and  rudely  drawn  her  back  from 
the  window. 

Upon  two  other- occasions  she  heard  the  same 
tones  at  a  distance ;  and  once,  before  the  autumn 
became  sere,  she  had  seen  a  stranger  female  afar  off, 
fathering  flowers  upon  the  hillside,  while  a  Cana- 
dian pony  stood  grazing  near  her.  The  next  mo- 
ment the  country  damsel  leaped  into  her  saddle,  and, 
galloping  gayly  past  the  house,  guided  her  active 
pony  amid  the  stumps  of  the  clearing  until  she  had 
reached  the  road,  and  soon  after  disappeared  to  the 
Yiew  of  Alida.  The  sight  of  that  free-limbed  cour- 
ser, and  the  thought  of  escape  which  its  appearance 
suggested,  awakened  a  fresh  yearning  for  freedom 
that  was  all  but  maddening.  But  neither  the  horse 
nor  the  ridet  ever  appeared  again. 

As  the  winter  set  in,  however,  a  change  of  scene, 
if  not  a  release  from  imprisonment,  was  soon  to  be 
realized  by  the  unoffending  captive.  Bradshawe, 
alarmed  for  the  security  of  his  prey,  had  written  to 
Valtmeyer  by  the  runner  who  had  brought  him  a 
missive  from  that  worthy  confederate,  giving  h  slow- 
ing account  of  his  successful  adventure.  His  letter 
urged  Valtmeyer  to  lose  no  time  in  moving  Miss 
De  Roos  from  so  dangerous  a  neighbourhood.    For 


f  tulips  to  the 
I  icy  rigours ; 
ihange  of  the 
dow,  was  all 
the  unhappy 
lays  after  sne 
er  heart  leap- 
jay  young  ie- 
nying  to  the 
i  to  catch  a 
)8e  lips  came 
'  had  rushed 
er  back  from 

rd  the  same 
the  autumn 
male  afar  o£f, 
hile  a  Cana- 
he  next  mo- 
r  saddle,  and, 
i  her  active 
intil  she  had 
eared  to  the 
imbed  cour- 
I  appearance 
for  freedom 
ler  the  horse 

ige  of  scene, 
s  soon  to  be 
Bradshawe, 
d  written  to 
mght  him  a 
ving  a  clow- 
Hisletter 
noving  Miss 
:hood.    For 


A  ROMAWOB  OF  TBI   MOHAWK. 


106 


AIida*8  friends  were  scouring  the  country  round  for 
traces  of  Thayendanagea's  captive. 

Her  fickle-minded  but  high-spirited  brother,  so 
far  from  slackening  in  his  endeavour  to  rescue  her 
after  the  first  ill-starred  attempt  already  commemo- 
rated,  had  twice  beaten  up  the  Mohawk's  quarters 
with  a  airong  band  of  border  yeomanry ;  nor  did  he 
give  up  dogging  the  movements  of  Brant  until  the 
chief  had  crossed  the  frontier  and  passed  into  Can- 
ada for  a  season.  Despairing,  then,  of  recoverinff 
his  sister  by  the  means  hitherto  used.  Derrick  had 
made  his  way  to  the  head-quarters  of  the  patriot 
army,  where,  offering  his  sword  to  his  country,  he 
lived  in^he  hope  of  obtaining  tidings  of  the  lost  Alida 
through  the  medium  of  the  first  flag  of  truce  that 
should  be  sent  to  the  royalist  generals  in  Canada. 
Bait,  too,  the  humble  but  zealous  friend  of  the 
Hawksnest  family,  adopting  less  readily  the  belief 
that  Brant  had  removed  bis  captive  across  the  fron- 
tier, had,  after  accompanying  Derrick  in  his  boot- 
less wildwood  quest  at  the  north,  renewed  a  diligent 
search  among  the  haunts  of  the  Tories  nearer  home. 

It  was  the  restless  and  prying  offices  of  this  faithful 
fellow — which  Valtmeyer,  with  characteristic  hardi- 
hood, seemed  to  make  light  of  when  detailing  them  to 
his  employer — that  awakened  the  anxiety  of  Brad- 
shawe  for  the  better  security  of  his  prize  ;  and  his 
letter  designated  a  remarkable  cavern  in  Schoharie 
county,  well  known  both  to  the  outlaw  and  his  ruf- 
fian principal  as  the  best  retreat  for  security ;  and  it 
commanded  that,  as  soon  as  the  winter  snows  should 
allow  of  easy  and  rapid  transportation,  a  covered 
sleigh  should  convey  Alida,  her  two  attendants,  and 
such  furniture  as  would  be  indispensable,  to  thii  ^ 
dungeon  fastness.  A  valuable  farm  on  the  German 
Flats,  with  the  promised  manumission  of  the  Afri- 
can servants,  who  were  actually  the  slaves  of  Brad* 


'111!'   ■!5' 


'I  ■• 


'1 


4I# 


^ 

#■ 


196 


obitslabb; 


M'.i- 


M"t- 


•hawe,  wai  the  promised  reward  for  these  serrices 
if  they  should  be  faithfully  and  effectually  rendered. 

This  letter  was  the  last  connnnunication  which 
Bradshawe  had  held  with  the  lawless  instrument  of 
his  crimes.  He  was  now  about  to  realize  how  far 
his  behests  had  been  obeyed.  He  burned  with 
impatience  to  ascertain  the  result  of  Valtmeyer's 
machinations,  and  he  ground  his  teeth,  in  wrath  at 
the  thought  that  the  momentary  quailing  of  his  spir- 
it before  that  of  Brant  had  betrayed  his  secret,  en- 
dangered his  final  triumph  over  Alida,  and  perhaps 
compromised  the  safety  alike  of  his  confederate  and 
himself.  His  horse  had  long  since  become  way- 
worn and  jaded ;  still  it  was  scarcely  possible  that 
Brant,  thouffh  he  might  have  taken  a  more  direct 
course  for  the  cavern,  could  on  foot  accomplish  the 
journey  as  soon  as  himself.  His  rage  and  vexation 
at  the  bare  possibility  were  for  a  moment  insupport- 
able ;  and  then,  as  he  ferociously  vented  his  feel- 
inffs  upon  his  tired  steed,  struggling  now  with  diffi- 
culty through  the  deep  snowdrifts,  he  became  ealmer 
the  next  instant  upon  rememberins  that  Brant  was 
alone,  and  that  Taltmeyer,  in  perrorming  his  duty 
of  castellan,  might  possibly  despatch  the  officious 
and  insolent  Monawk. 

In  the  mean  time,  as  the  short  winter's  day  ap- 
proached to  a  close,  Bradshawe  himself  began  to 
suffer  for  the  want  of  refreshment;  and  he  was 
compelled  to  admit,  at  last,  that  it  was  impossible 
for  his  horse  to  proceed  farther,  and  that  he  would 
prove  useless  on  the  morrow  unless  the  wants  of 
the  animal  were  sooniadministered  to.  And,  fortu- 
nately for  both,  an  asylum  soon  presented  itself  in 
the  dfeserted  cabin  of^some  fugitive  settler;  whom 
fear  of  the  Indians  had  driven  from  his  solitary 
clearing  in  the  forest  to  some  safer  home. 

storm  of  rain  and  9leet  set  in  a  few  milneiitf 


A  BOMANOI  OV  THI  MOHAWK. 


197 


lese  8emc«8 
ily  rendered. 
«tion  which 
nstrument  of 
Jize  how  far 
turned  with 
Valtmeyer's 
L  in  wrath  at 
3^  of  his  spir- 
B  secret,  en- 
and  perhaps 
federate  and 
econne  way- 
possible  that 
more  direct 
:oinpIish  the 
md  Yezation 
It  insupport- 
ted  his  feel* 
w  with  diffi- 
;ame  ealmer 
t  Brant  wai 
ng  his  duty 
he  officious 

er's  day  ap- 
ilf  began  to 
ind  he  was 
inopossible 
St  he  would 
le  wants  of 
And,  fortu- 
:ed  itself  in 
ttler;whom 
lis  solitary 
J. 
w  iii#Beiiti 


after  the  horseman  gained  this  welcome  shelter; 
but  he  heeded  not  its  peltings  without,  as,  after 
tethering  his  horse  in  one  corner  of  the  shanty,  he 
kindled  a  fire  upon  the  hearth,  and  by  its  }ight  dis* 
covered  a  pile  of  unshocked  corn,  which  he  soon 
laid  under  contribution,  both  for  himself  and  his 
steed.  He  foddered  the  horse,  while  still  heated, 
with  the  dried  blades  and  husks  only,  busying  him- 
self in  the  mean  time  with  shelling  the  ears.  The 
grain  thus  procured  was  partly  pounded  up,  and, 
by  the  aid  of  snow-water,  converted  into  hoe-<cakes, 
which  were  soon  roasting  by  the  fire.  The  rest  of 
it,  with  a  dozen  more  loose  ears,  he  placed  before 
his  horse  after  this  frueal  supper  was  served ;  nor 
did  Bradshawe  resign  nimselr  to  rest  before,  like 
an  experienced  trooper,  he  had  well  groomed  his 
noble  steed,  by  using  the  husks  and  cobs  of  the 
maize  as  a  substitute  for  the  straw  whisp  and  brush, 
to  which  the  animal's  glossy  coat  showed  he  was 
accustomed.  His  fire,  in  the  mean  time,  he  fed  .with 
an  armful  of  fuel  from  the  same  pile  which  had 
supplied  him  with  provisions.  It  blazed  up  so  as 
to  fill  the  whole  cabin  with  a  ruddy  light  as  the  dry 
blades  were  first  ignited,  crackled  and  sputtered  for 
a  few  moments  as  the  grains  of  corn  became  parchi 
ed  and  split  by  the  ^  fat,  and  then  subsided  into  a 
bed  of  glowins  brands^  as  the  dry  cobs  were  seized 
upon  by  the  element. 

"  And  why,"  thought  Bradshawe,  as,  wrapped  in 
his  cloak,  he  now  stretched  himself  out  for  repose, 
"  why  may  not  the  burning  of  this  indigenous  plant 
be  emblematic  of  the  career  .of  the  thousands  of  my 
countrymen  who  are  reared  almost  upon  it  alone^ 
Here  is  the  quick  flash  of  their  first  outbreak  of  re- 
bellion, the  noisy  sputtering  far  and  wide,  in  which 
men  more  wise  than  myself  thought  that  it  would 
vent  itself  and  have  an  end.    And  here  are  the  UvQ 

R8 


198 


OBITfLABB 


I: 


coals  at  the  bottom,  that  will  burn  on  iteady  through 
this  lon|;  winter's  nisht ! — Pshaw  1  what  care  1, 
though,  if  men  are  such  asses  as  to  light'  the  fire,  so 
I  only  can  warm  my  fingers  by  the  blaze  V*  And, 
conclading  his  unwonted  strain  of  thought  with  this 
characteristic  reflection,  the  worthy  trooper  resigned 
himself  to  slumber. 

The  dawn  found  Bradshawe  again  upon  his  jour- 
ney. But  the  rain  of  the  preceding  niali  follow- 
ed by  one  of  those  mild,  foggy  days  which  some- 
times occur  in  midwinter,  made  his  road  a  difficult 
one :  the  half-thawed  snow  was  con? erted  into  slush, 
which,  yielding  and  slipping  beneath  his  horse's 
feet,  made  the  track  at  once  heavy  and  insecure. 
The  rivulets  upon  the  hillside  too,  released  for  a^, 
brief  period  from  their  icy  fetters,  were  swollen 
frequently  to  torrents,  which  were  absolutely  peril- 
ous in  the  passage.  The  road  he  was  traversing 
eould  scarcely,  indeed,  be  dignified  with  the  title  of 
m  bridle-path ;  and  though  the  cavern  toward  which 
he  was  urging  his  course  has  of  late  years  been 
frequently  visited  by  the  curious,  it  would  be  diffi- 
cult to  designate  the  route  by  which  Bradshawe 
had  hitherto  approached  it  by  any  precise  geograph- 
ical data  of  the  present  day. 


▲  BOMANOB  Of  TBI  XOHAWE. 


100 


lady  tliroagh 
hat  care  I, 
t  the  fire,  lo 
kze  r  And, 
ght  with  thii 
per  reiigned 

)on  his  iour- 
igh  follow- 
rnich  some- 
id  a  difficult 
id  into  slush, 

his  horse*s 
(id  insecure, 
leased  for  b.\ 
^ere  swollen 
>lutely  peril- 
s  traversing 
li  the  title  of 
iward  which 

years  been 
^uld  be  diffi- 

Bradshawe 
e  geograph- 


CHAPTER  IV. 

TBI  CAVERN   OF  WANBONDA. 

"  Earth  hath  her  wondrous  scenei,  but  few  like  thii.  ' 
The  everlaiting  lurge  hath  worn  itself 
A  pathway  in  the  solid  rock ;  and  there, 
Far  in  those  cavemed  chambers,  where  the  warm, 
Sweet  sunlight  enters  not,  is  heard  the  war 
Of  hidden  waves,  imprisoned  tempests — bursting 
>  Anon  like  thunder ;  then,  with  low,  deep  moan. 

Falling  upon  the  ear — the  mournful  wail. 
As  Indian  legends  tajy,  of  spirits  accursed." 

Mas.  Ellct. 

In  the  hilly  region  of  Schoharie  county,  where 
the  Onidegra  ridge  of  the  Helderburg  mountains 
extends  its  flanking  battlements  of  perpendicular 
rock  along  the  lovely  vale  of  the  Schonarie  kill, 
there  ran  in  former  days  an  old  Indian  pathway. 

The  principal  route  between  Schonarie  court- 
house and  the  hamlets  to  the  east  and  west  of  that 
settlement,  as  well  as  the  gieat  Indian  trail  between 
Catskill  and  Canajoharie,  had  a  course  nearly  par- 
allel with  this  path,  and  it  had  therefore  been  neg- 
lected for  so  many  years  as  to  be  nearly  forgotten 
by  every  one,  save  some  roving  Indian  that  now 
and  then  straggled  into  the  settlements,  or  the  white 
hunter,  who,  tired  with  traversing  the  forest  thickets 
and  rocky  defiles  of  the  adjacent  mountains,  took 
his  homeward  way  along  this  secluded  but  well- 
beaten  path. 

This  trail,  where  Bradshawe  was  now  travelling 
it,  was  walled  by  huge  buttresses  of  rock  upon  the 
west,  while  its  terraced  edge  commanded,  through 
the  leafless  trees,  a  complete  view  of  the  vale  of  the 
Schoharie  upon  the  east ;  and  as  a  burst  of  sunshine 


f!:!;.. 


800 


OBirfLABMl 


!,t?t 


i! 


>-;  *    Wl: 


e? er  and  anon  lighted  up  with  imilet  that  landicape 
which  even  in  winter  is  moit  lovely,  even  the  heart 
of  10  reckleit  an  adventurer  was  touched  with  the 
idea  of  carrying  rapine  and  devastation  into  a  scene 
80  exquisitely  calm  and  rural ;  "  yet  such,"  thought 
he,  with  a  sternness  more  in  unison  with  his  gener- 
al character,  "  such  is  our  only  policy,  if  the  King's 
party  ever  asain  get  the  ascendancy  in  the  district. 
We  must  take  the  hearthstones  from  under  these 
people,  and  then  thevMl  bother  us  no  longer  about 
their  parchment  privileges." 

Alas!  did  Bradshawe  mean  to  prophesy  that 
Johnson  and  his  bands  should  sweep,  like  the  be- 
som of  desolation,  over  this  fated  region  within  two 
years  afterward?  Did  he  foresee  the  part  which t 
men  as  ruthless  as  himself  should  play  in  those 
dark  days  of  monstrous  violence  ?   <. 

But  now,  as  he  remembers  the  devious  route  that 
he  has  travelled  to  avoid  the  settlements,  and  looks 
back  upon  the  road  behind  him,  circling  wide  to  the 
east  and  south  of  his  ultimate  destination,  the  des- 
perado remembers  again  that  Brant  may  have  reach- 
ed it  before  him.  lie  spurs  his  horse  along  the 
narrow  path,  descends  toward  the  valley,  approach- 
es the  village,  wheels  off,  skirls  the  valley,  and,  as- 
cending once  more,  tracks  his  way  through  a  forest 
of  walnut  and  maples,  and  arrives  at  last  at  the 
yawning  mouth  of  Waneonda. 

A  moment  sufficed  Bradshawe  to  secure  his 
horse,  and  then  he  impatiently  hurried  to  descend. 
The  top  of  the  pit,  sQijfie  twenty  or  thirty  feet  in  di- 
ameter, was  wholly  bidden  from  the  eye  by  some 
huge  trees  which  had  probably  been  felled  across  it 
purposely  to  screen  tne  opening.  But  their  roots 
were  so  grown  around  with  thickets,  and  the  trunks 
lay  tossed  about  in  such  disorder,  that  no  desisn 
was  apparent  in  their  arrangement ;  and  they  mignt 


U: i:. 


▲  ROMANOV  or  TBM   MOHAWK. 


201 


It  landscape 
sn  the  heart 
sd  with  the 
into  a  scene 
)h"  thought 
li  his  gener- 
F  the  King's 
the  district, 
iinder  these 
onger  about 

)phe8y  that 
hke  the  be- 
I  within  two 
part  which 
ly  in  those 

18  route  that 
s,  and  looks 
wide  to  the 
3n,  the  des- 
have  reach- 
i  along  the 
,  approach- 
ey,  and,  as- 
igh  a  forest 
last  at  the 

secure  his 

0  descend. 

r  feet  in  di- 

e  by  some 

ed  across  it 

their  roots 

the  trunks 

no  desiffn 

they  might 


hi?e  been  thought  to  be  blown  down  by  the  wind, 
or  fallen  from  natural  decay  precisely  where  they 
now  lay. 

Below  this  funnel-like  cavity,  which  was  not  more 
than  ten  feet  in  depth,  there  opened  a  narrow  fis- 
•ure  about  half  that  breadth,  but  extending  down- 
ward into  perfect  darkness.  The  top  of  this  black 
chasm  was  likewise  crossed  by  several  sticks  of 
timber;  and  to  the  stoutest  and  longest  of  these 
was  attached  a  perpendicular  ladder  of  rope  fifty 
feet  in  lensih,  secured  by  the  lower  end  to  the  rocka 
below.  The  ladder  was  coated  with  ice,  and  Brad- 
shawe  was  compelled  to  clutch  closely  the  frozen 
ruiiffs  as  his  feet  slipped  repeatedly  in  descending. 
A  sloping  declivity  of  rocks  received  him ;  and  io 
rough  and  precipitous  was  his  pathway,  now  ren- 
dered doubly  perilous  by  the  mud  and  half-frozen 
•lime  from  the  dripping  walls  above,  that  he  would 
scarcely  have  dared  to  venture  farther  amid  the 
darkness  that  reigned  below.  But,  groping  about 
for  a  few  moments,  he  felt  the  broken  limb  of  a  tree, 
and,  passing  his  hand  along  it  toward  the  trunk, 
discovered  that  a  new  convenience  had  been  provi- 
ded since  last  he  visited  the  spot,  and  he  readily 
perceived  that  it  must  have  been  for  the  accommo- 
dation of  Alida  that  the  ponderous  piece  of  timber 
had  been  plunged  down  and  placea  in  its  present 
situation.  Lowering  himself  down  the  tree  in  an 
oblique  direction,  he  soon  entirely  lost  sight  of  the 
opening  above  him ;  and  the  temperature  of  the  cave 
became  so  mild  that  traces  of  ice  were  no  longer 
discovered.  A  ladder  of  wood  then  |;ave  him  a 
firmer  foothold  down  the  third  descent ;  and  a  fourth 
declivity  of  rough  rocks  brought  him  to  the  bottom 
of  the  cavern. 

The  adventurer  was  now  one  hundred  and  fifty 
feet  beneath  the  surface  of  the  soil ;  and  no  one,  un- 


«,,.  j''i 


'#■ 


202 


ORBYSIJkBB : 


if:   y 


less  as  perfectly  familiar  with  the  cave  as  was  Brad- 
shawe,  could  have  safely  effected  the  descent  amid 
the  darkness  which  reigned  around  him.  The  hor- 
izontal passage  in  which  he  now  found  himself  was 
about  ten  or  twelve  feet  in  breadth,  nearly  half  of 
which  space  was  occupied  by  a  rivulet  running  in  a 
southern  direction ;  and,  keeping  as  close  to  the  wall 
on  his  left  as  possible,  Bradshawe  followed  it  for  a 
few  paces,  until  the  roof  of  the  cavern  drooped  so 
low  that  he  could  feel  it  with  his  outstretched  hands 
as  he  placed  them  before  him.  Dropping  now  upon 
his  knees,  he  crawled  along  for  several  yards,  until 
his  eyes  were  greeted  by  a  stream  of  light  which 
came  through  a  narrow  aperture  on  the  left.  He 
crawled  through  the  opening,  and  entered  an  apart^^ 
ment  some  thirty  feet  in  diameter  by  a  hundred  or 
more  in  height. 

^  Had  Bradshawe  possessed  a  taste  for  the  grand 
and  beautiful  in  nature,  the  appearance  of  this 
chamber  might  have  arrested  his  attention.  The 
ceiling  was  fretted  with  stalactites  ;*  the  walls  hung 
with  a  rich  tracery  of  spar,  which  likewise,  in  a 
thousand  fantastic  forms,  encumbered  the  floor  upon 
which,  in  the  course  of  ages,  its  broken  fragments 
had  fallen.  But  a  solitary  lamp,  fed  with  bear's  fat, 
which  stood  upon  a  truncated  column  in  the  centre, 
dimly  revealing  the  glistening  objects  around,  seem- 
ed only  to  claim  his  attention  as  he  eagerly  advan- 
ced toward  it.  A  bugle  lay  by  the  side  of  the  lamp ; 
and,  taking  the  latter  only  in  his  hand,  he  repassed 
throufih  the  fissure  which  had  admitted  him  into 
"the  Warder's  R<Som,"as  it  was  called  by  his  follow- 
ers, and  regained  the  low-arched  passage  from  which 
he  had  temporarily  digressed.  v 

Crawling  now  cautiously  a  few  paces  in  advance, 
he  paused,  and,  placing  the  bugle  to  his  lips,  blew 
a  blast  which  resounded  through  the  cavern.    Sev- 


A   ROMAIfCB  or  TUB   MOHAWK. 


203 


as  was  Brad- 
descent  amid 
1.  The  hor- 
;  himself  was 
learly  half  of 
\  running  in  a 
se  to  the  wall 
owed  it  for  a 
n  drooped  so 
etched  hands 
ing  now  upon 
il  yards,  until 
f  light  which 
he  left.  He 
ired  an  apart'' 
a  hundred  or 

for  the  grand 
ance  of  this 
ention.  The 
e  walls  hung 
ikewise,  in  a 
the  floor  upon 
en  fragments 
rith  bear's  fat, 
in  the  centre, 
iround,  seem- 
igerly  advan- 
)  of  the  lamp ; 
,  he  repassed 
ted  him  into 
by  his  foUow- 
;e  from  which 

v 
8  in  advance, 

lis  lips,  blew 

avern.    Sev- 


eral minutes  now  elapsed  ;  the  last  rumbling  echoes 
seemed  to  have  traversed  every  chamber  of  the  cav- 
ern which  could  send  back  a  sound,  and  died  away 
at  last  in  some  unfathomable  abyss  remote  from  them 
all.  At  last  a  :3ound  like  the  dip  of  an  Indian  paddle 
was  heard.  A  shred  of  light  then  seemed  to  flick- 
er upon  the  bottom  of  the  cave,  like  a  glow-worm 
crawling  along  its  floor  toward  him.  A  moment 
after  the  feeble  ray  became  stroiiger,  and  separated 
itself  into  two  dots  of  light,  which  were  still  ap- 
proaching ;  and  then,  again,  from  the  brighter  re- 
flection upon  the  water  as  the  taper  now  near«d 
Bradshawe,  it  could  be  seen  that  he  was  standing 
upon  the  brink  of  a  subterranean  lake,  and  that  a 
canoe,  with  one  solitary  voyager,  was  approaching 
him. 

"  Valtmeyer,  is  he  here,  my  good  Charon  ?"  ask- 
ed Bradshawe  of  the  deformed  half-breed  that  steer- 
ed the  canofr,  as  the  man  turned  a  rocky  promon- 
tory on  the  left,  and  suddenly  presented  his  features 
in  full  view  by  the  ruddy  torchlight. 

"  He  is  here,  captain,"  replied  the  Hunchback, 
respectfully. 

"  And  the  lady  ?" 

*'  I  know  nothing  of  the  lady  since  the  first  day 
she  came  down  among  us,  when  I  carried  her 
along  the  River  of  Ghosts  to  the  chamber  at  the 
north  end  of  the  cavern,  which  our  men  call  tho 
'  Chapel.' " 

**  And  has  no  one  else  been  here  ?" 

"  Not  a  soul  but  Red  Wolfert,  and  he  seems  to 
go  near  her  as  seldom  as  possible." 

"  It  is  well.     Shove  off." 

There  was  a  silence  for  a  few  moments  as  the 
shallop  kept  her  way  over  the  deep  and  mysterious 
flood ;  and  Bradshawe,  as  he  sat  with  folded  arms 
in  the  stern,  seemed  busied  only  in  trying  to  pierce 


i!'    ^il; 


804 


QBBY8LAEB 


with  his  eye  the  undiscoverable  height  of  the  black 
TEuIt  above  him. 

"  Who  of  my  band  are  here  ?"  he  at  length  resu- 
med, abruptly.  « 

**  Not  those  whom  you  value  most ;  and  some, 
perhaps,  who  should  never  have  been  trusted  with 
the  secret  of  the  cave.  But'Syl  Stickney  says  that 
things  are  going  so  badly  above,  that  we  must  find 
hiding-places  for  our  friends  if  we'd  have  them  stick 
to  the  cause,  and  Wolfert  therefore  forgave  him 
for  bringing  them  down." 

"  Syl  Stickney  and  be  d — d  to  him  !  I  must  pis- 
tol that  officious  rascal  some  cold  morning,"  mut- 
tered Bradshawe  ;  and  then  added  aloud,  "  And  have 
these  fellows  seen  the  lady  ?" 

"  Neither  they  nor  Syl.  Syl  only  guesses  that 
there  is  some  mystery  shut  up  at  the  other  end  of 
the  cave  ;  for  Wolfert  has  forbidden  that  the  new- 
comers should  be  told  there  is  such  a  place  as  the 
Chapel ;  and  he  swears  he'll  cut  Syl's  throat  if  he 
approaches  it." 

"  Admirable  Wolfert !"  said  Bradshawe,  mental- 
ly ;  "  thou  hast  thus  far  been  the  truest  of  ruffians, 
and  well  earned  thy  reward." 

The  boat  had  now  reached  the  farther  shore  of 
this  "  Black  Acheron,"  where  a  shelving  indenta- 
tion among  the  steep  rocks  affords  a  landing-place 
to  the  voyager,  who,  having  passed  the  gulf,  pro- 
poses to  penetrate  the  Cimmerian  region  beyond. 
This  enterprise,  though  unattended  with  danger,  is 
sufficiently  awe-inspiring  to  any  one  who  has  been 
ferried  over  that  dark,  still  river,  upon  which  no 
beam  of  sunshine  has  ever  fallen.  But  a  man  less 
bold  than  Bradshawe  might  have  shrunk  from  ad- 
venturing farther,  if  unfamiliar  with  the  sounds 
which  now  met  his  ear  as  he  scaled  a  rough  ascent 
leading  up  from  the  water  side ;  for  never  from  Tar- 


t  of  the  black 

it  length  resu- 
lt 
t;  and  some, 
n  trusted  with 
kney  says  that 

we  nnust  find 
ive  them  stick 

forgave  him 

!  I  must  pis- 
lorning,"  mut- 
id, "  And  have 

r  guesses  that 
e  other  end  of 
that  the  new- 
a  place  as  the 
's  throat  if  he 

hawe,  mental- 
est  of  ruffians^ 

irther  shore  of 
living  ind^nta- 
.  landing-place 

the  gulf,  pro- 
egion  beyond, 
vith  danger,  is 

who  has  been 
pon  which  no 
But  a  man  less 
irunk  from  ad- 
[i  the  sounds 
I  rough  ascent 
ever  from  Tar- 


▲  BOMANOB  OF  TIH  MOBAWK. 


205 


'■^M 


taru«  itself  arose  a  wilder  discord  of  horrid  blas- 
phemy, intermingled  with  drunken  laughter.  The 
strange,  onesTthTy  oaths,  echoed  from  the  hollow 
deptlft  around,  seemed  to  tremble  long  in  air,  as  if 
it  thickened  with  the  damning  sounds,  and  held  them 
there  suspended  as  in  their  proper  element  The 
peals  of  eldrich  merriment  were  first  shrilly  rever- 
berated as  in  mockery  from  the  vaulted  roof;  and 
then,  as  if  flung  back  into  some  lower  pit,  some 
burial-house  of  mirth,  died  away  in  a  sullen  moan 
beneath  his  very  feet. 

This  strange  confusion  of  sounds,  however,  lost 
its  effect  upon  the  ear  the  moment  Bradshawe  had 
entered  the  outlaws'  banqueting  hall,  where  he  sud- 
denly presented  himself  in  the  midst  of  his  men, 
who,  in  every  variety  of  costume,  were  variously 
grouped  about  the  vast  circular  chamber.  Some 
were  carousing  deeply  around  a  board  well  filled 
with  flagons ;  some,  seated  upon  the  ground,  were 
deep  in  a  game  of  cards  together ;  the  rattling  of 
a  dice-box  betrayed  the  not  dissimilar  occupation 
of  two  others ;  while  some,  more  remote  from  the 
rest,  were  amusing  themselves  with  jumping  for  a 
wager,  and  other  feats  of  strength  and  agility.  The 
size  of  this  apartment,  which  formed  a  rotunda  forty 
paces  in  diameter  by  fifty  feet  in  height,  afforded 
ample  room  for  all  this  diversity  of  occupation. 

Syl  Stickney  and  others  of  Bradshawe  s  Tory  fol- 
lowers, who  were  not  willing  to  identify  themselves 
completely  with  Valtmeyer's  especial  band  of  out- 
laws, though  they  had  Ion?  consorted  with  them, 
kept  partially  aloof;  a  herd  of  them  being  collect- 
ed around  the  worthy  Sylla  himself,  who,  with  a 
tankard  by  his  side  and  a  pipe  in  his  mouth,  sat 
upon  a  ponderous  fragment  of  fallen  spar,  discours- 
ing much  to  his  own  satisfaction,  if  not  to  that  of 
his  hearers. 

Vol.  I.— S 


M^^ 


<\  'h 


ii^ 


!i,^''  ; ' 


If,)   m 


f4 


1?  ' 


206 


osiTSifABm ; 


"  Why,  do  tell !''  he  exclaimed,  breaking  off  in 
his  discourse,  "  if  there  aint  the  capting  now  !  Did 
I  ever !  Why,  capting,  I  was  jist  saying  to  my 
brother  Marius  and  these  gentlemen — "  • 
.  **  Your  brother  Marius  be  d — d.  Keep  your  seats, 
gentlemen.    Stickney,  where's  Valtmeyer  ?" 

"  I  guess,  if  you  follow  the  turning  to  the  right, 
you'll  find  him  m  one  of  the  chambers  to  the  north 
o*  this,"  said  the  cool  Syl,  without  ever  moving  from 
his  seat  to  salute  or  welcome  his  officer. 

"  Nay,  my  good  fellows,"  said  Bradshawe,  turning 
to  the  others,  who  were  beginning  to  explain  how 
they  had  become  his  guests  in  his  absence,  "  the 
king's  friends  are  always  welcome  to  any  shelter  t 
can  afford  them  ;  and  I  ought,  perhaps,  to  thank  our 
friend  Stickney  here  for  gaining  such  valuable  re- 
cruits for  my  band  in  times  like  these/' 

"  Ought  ye,  raaly,  capting  ?  Well,  now,  that's 
jist  what  I  told  Red  Wolfert  when  he  showed  signs 
of  kicking  up  a  muss,  case,  when  I  went  up  into 
daylight  one  day  to  lift  a  rebel  sheep  or  two, '  Wol- 
fert,' says  I — but,  by  darn,  the  capting's  cleared  out 
without  speaking  to  one  of  the  company  but  our- 
selves." And,  true  enough,  Bradshawe,  seizing  a 
torch  from  a  cleft  in  the  rock,  had  glided  out  of  the 
apartment,  unobserved  by  all  save  those  who  had 
marked  his  entrance. 

Taking  now  a  northern  direction,  he  soon  en- 
countered the  outlaw  in  a  long  narrow  passage  lead- 
ing from  some  secret  chamber  where  arms  and 
munitions  were  said  to  be  kept,  but  which  Valt- 
meyer probably  appropriated  to  the  stowage  of 
booty ;  a  matter  wnich  Bradshawe,  who  did  not 
care  to  mix  himself  up  with  the  predatory  doings 
of  his  lieutenant,  never  inquired  into.  Valtmeyer, 
exchanging  but  few  words  with  his  leader  for  the 
present,  led  him  back  to  the  Outlaws'  Hall,  where 


A  BOMAMCB  OV  THE  MOHAWK. 


207 


■to  -i,  'iii 

'"   I  mil 


Baking  off  in 
^  now !  Did 
lying  to  my 

sp  your  8eat8| 
>yer  ?" 

to  the  right, 
I  to  the  north 
moving  from 
r. 

lawe,  turning 
explain  how 
}sence,  "  the 
any  shelter  t 
to  thank  our 
valuable  re- 


n 


now,  that*8 
howed  signs 
went  up  into 

two, '  Wol- 
i  cleared  out 
iny  but  our- 
e,  seizing  a 
:d  out  of  the 
ise  who  had 

le  soon  en- 
assage  lead- 
e  arms  and 
vvhich  Valt- 
stowaee  of 
^ho  did  not 
itory  doings 
Valtmeyer, 
ader  for  the 
BEall,  where 


every  one  seemed  to  be  too  much  engaged  in  their 
own  pastime  to  notice  them,  as,  passing  along  the 
wall  on  one  side,  Bradshawe  entered  a  narrow  aper- 
ture toward  the  south,  leading  to  a  distinct  suite  of 
apartments.  Here  Valtmeyer  soon  brought  him 
the  refreshment  he  so  much  needed  after  the  toils 
he  had  undergone. 

In  one  of  these  chambers,  where  the  air  was  ever 
cooled  and  kept  in  motion  by  the  dripping  of  water 
from  above,  a  thin  plate  of  stone  upon  which  it  fell 
emitted  a  sound  not  unlike  that  which  proceeds 
from  the  body  of  a  guitar  or  other  stringea  instru- 
ment when  the  wooden  part  is  lightly  tapped  by  the 
finger.  These  monotonous  tones,  varying  only  at 
times  to  a  higher  and  wilder  key,  as  if  the  cords  of 
the  instrument  were  swept  by  some  unseen  hand, 
mingled  strangely  with  the  low  murmur  of  their 
voices  as  the  two  adventurers  conversed  together ; 
while  the  huge  Cyclopean  frame  of  the  freebooter, 
and  fiery  eye  and  reckless  features  of  the  Tory  cap- 
tain— which  looked  doubly  wan  by  the  blazing  torch 
that  the  other  held  before  them  while  sitting  in  deep 
shadow  himself — ^formed  one  of  those  studies  which 
the  old  masters  so  loved  to  paint. 

A  few  monients  sufficed  Bradshawe  to  despatch 
his  hasty  meal,  and  possess  himself  of  all  the  in- 
formation which  his  zealous  coadjutor  had  to  im- 
part ;  and,  repassing  again  through  the  Outlaws* 
Hall,  without  pausing  to  make  himself  known  to  the 
half-drunken  revellers  who  were  still  grouped  about 
it  much  in  the  same  attitudes  in  which  they  were 
first  introduced  to  the  reader,  he  motioned  silently 
to  the  v^erd-looking  ferryman  who  had  brought  him 
into  these  gloomy  realms,  and  once  more  regained 
the  shores  of  the  -subterranean  lake. 

The  black  pool  wad  then  again  crossed;  and, 
passing  by  the  Warder's  Room  on  the  right,  the  two 


<  • 


208 


OBBT8LABS ; 


s 


'h' 


pursued  the  arched  paesage  which  Bradshawe  had 
Defore  traversed,  until  they  came  to  the  open  space 
in  the  cave  where  he  had  first  reached  the  bottom 
in  descending  from  the  region  of  dayhght  to,  these 
grim  abodes. 

The  cloistered  arches  above  rose  so  loftily  that 
the  roof  was  shrouded  in  impenetrable  darkness ; 
and  here,  through  a  small  aperture  in  the  wall  on 
the  left,  was  again  heard  the  sound  of  water.  It 
seemed  not  to  be  a  still,  sullen  lake,  like  that  he  had 
just  crossed,  but  a  flowing  river,  whose  waves  dash> 
ed  heavily  and  slowly  against  the  cavernous  rocks 
which  confined  them  on  either  side ;  and  now,  taking 
a  torch  and  paddle  in  his  hands,  and  placing  himself 
in  a  recumbent  posture  in  a  boat  barely  large  enough 
to  admit  of  its  being  pushed  through  the  crevice, 
Bradshawe,  by  the  aid  of  the  half-breed,  entered 
the  opening  in  the  curtain  of  rock,  and  launched 
upon  the  stream  beyond. 

The  subterranean  voyager,  who /first  pushed  him- 
self along  with  his  hands  only,  soon  found  the  vault 
to  enlarge  above  him,  so  that  he  could  sit  erect  in 
the  boat  and  use  his  paddle.  The  water,  so  clear 
that  his  torchlight  gleamed  upon  the  bottom  some 
thirty  feet  below  him,  was  only  broken  at  long  in- 
tervals by  a  mimic  cascade  scarcely  a  foot  in  height, 
over  which  he  easily  lifted  his  shi&llop,  and  proceed- 
ed upon  his  errand  to  the  distant  chamber  where 
Alida  was  immured.  In  this  spacious  apartment 
Valtmeyer  had  partitioned  off  a  ary  place  by  erect- 
ing a  bark  shanty  over  it,  and  made  other  provisions 
for  the  unhappy  female,  from  whom,  in  the  outlaw's 
slang,  it  took  its  name  of  "  The  Lady's  Chapel."  But 
Bradshawe  has  now  gained  the  threshold  of  that  the 
dreariest  bower  in  which  Beauty  ever  yet  received 
her  suiter,  and  we  must  pause  before  venturing  to 
describe  the  strange  and  painful  interview  between 
them. 


.■iMk:^ 


»     !l' 
IP 


A  ROMANCE  OF  THB  MOHAWK. 


209 


CHAPTER  V. 


THE    INTBRYIBW. 

**  Hernando.  Thou  art  here 

Wholly  within  my  power ;  now,  as  a  guest. 
Fair  cousin,  be  less  scornful. 
Izidora.  Thou  wouldst  not  dare  to  wrong  me  I    ^ 
^  Hernando,  I  would  be 

Loth  to  do  that ;  I  claim  thy  hand ; 
If  thou  dost  scorn  me,  lady,  then  beware !" 

Velaaco,  by  Efis  Saboint. 

"  The  hallowed  honour  that  protects  a  maid 
Is  round  me  like  a  circle  of  bright  fire  ; 
A  savage  would  not  cross  it,  nor  shall  you. 
f  I'm  mistress  of  my  presence — cleave  me,  sir." — ^Willis. 

The  ruffian  Valtmeyer  had  not,  as  we  have  hint- 
ed, been  wholly  unmindful  of  the  comfort  of  his 
captive  when  dragging  her  from  the  light  of  day 
to  become  the  tenant  of  this  dungeon-like  abode. 
Whether  this  considerateness  arose  from  motives 
utterly  selfish,  or  whether  the  outlaw  had  really 
some  latent  sparks  of  kindness  in  his  rude  bosom, 
it  is  impossible  to  say.  But  certainly  he  had  been 
at  mucn  pains  in  preparing  "  the  ChapeP  for  its  oc- 
cupant before  he  ever  brought  her  to  the  cave. 

The  spot  which  he  had  selected  for  her  tent  or 
wigwam  of  birchen  bark  had  been  smoothed  by  fill- 
ing up  its  inequaUties  with  dry  leaves ;  and  these, 
when  covered  by  a  piece  of  Indian  matting,  afford- 
ed an  elastic  and  comfortable  carpet.  Hither  he 
had,  too,  with  much  trouble — from  the  difficulty  of 
transporting  articles  of  any  bulk  through  these  sin- 
uous vaults — conveyed  bedding,  a  chair  or  two,  a 
table — which  he  was  obliged  to  take  to  pieces,  and 

S2 


m: 


l!:t 


li;UM 


dio 


ORBTSLABS ; 


which  cost  him  many  an  oath  in  reconstructing 
— ^and  other  household  articles.  Nor  had  he  for- 
gotten even  the  ordinary  kitchen  utensils  when  pre- 
paring one  comer  of  the  Chapel  for  the  accommo- 
dation of  the  two  coloured  women  who  were  to  at- 
tend upon  Alida. 

It  was  probably  owinff  to  these  arrangements 
chiefly  that  the  health  of  Miss  De  Roos  was  not 
utterly  prostrated  by  the  long  weeks  she  was  com- 
pelled to  pass  in  the  gloomy  vaults  of  Waneonda. 
For  though  the  air  of  this  remarkable  cayem  is  said 
to  be  perfectly  pure,  and  the  temperature  mild  and 
equable,  yet  such  utler  exclusion  from  the  light  of 
day  must  always  be  more  or  less  prejudicial,  esper 
cially  to  one  whose  anxious  spirit  is  so  worn  by 
emotion  that  the  frame  needs  all  fostering  care  to 
prevent  its  giyi:?g  way  and  releasing  the  tnrobbing 
tenant. 

But  the  thought  of  Death,  which,  to  most  char- 
acters in  her  situation,  would  often  have  suggested 
itself  as  a  refuge,  had  perhaps  never  once  occurred 
to  Alida  de  Roos.  She  neither  wished  for  it  nor 
feared  it.  But  she  did  fear  that  her  bodily  strength 
might  give  way ;  her  mind  become  enfeebled  with 
the  decay  of  her  health  ;  that  mind,  upon  whose  in- 
born and  conscious  energies  she  so  haughtily  relied 
in  the  last  emergency  to  which  she  might  be  driv- 
en. She  did  fear  that  the  greatest  trial  ofits  ascend- 
ency and  its  powers — for  she  knew  that  she  was 
in  Bradshawe's  hands — might  be  deferred  till  her 
faculties  were  impaired  by  suffering  and  her  hither- 
to indomitable  spirit  overborne. 

The  thouffht  that  those  faculties  might  fail  their 
mistress,  and  that  she  might  fall  irretrievably  into  the 
power  of  Bradshawe,  was  maddening  to  her.  She 
revolted  from  it  whenever  it  swept  athwart  her 
brain.    She  tried  to  forget  her  sorrows ;  she  refused 


▲  BOMANCS  OF  TUB   MOHAWK. 


211 


constructing 
had  he  for- 
ts when  pre- 
e  accommo- 
were  to  at- 

rrangements 
DOS  was  not 
le  was  com- 

Waneonda. 
eiTern  is  said 
ire  mild  and 

the  light  of 
idicial,  espep 
so  worn  by 
rine  care  to 
le  tnrobbing 

3  most  char- 
ge suggested 
ice  occurred 
d  for  it  nor 
dily  strength 
eebled  with 
)n  whose  in- 
ghtily  relied 
ght  be  driv- 
f  its  ascend- 
lat  she  was 
rred  till  her 
1  her  hither- 

ht  fail  their 
ibly  into  the 
0  her.  She 
ithwart  her 
she  refused 


to  entertain  her  griefs ;  she  endeavoured  to  postpone, 
as  it  were,  reflecting  upon  the  full  horrors  of  her 
situation ;  and  she  caught  at  every  object  within  her 
reach  that  could  occupy  her  attention,  if  it  did  not 
amuse  her  mind.  She  divided  their  duties  with  her 
attendants,  and  assumed  all  those  which  appertained 
immediately  to  the  care  of  her  own  person ;  she  bor> 
rowed  her  needle  of  the  mulatto,  who  was  glad  of 
an  excuse  for  remaining  unemployed,  and  sleeping 
away  the  indolent  and  monotonous  hours ;  and,  lis- 
tening for  hours  to  her  dotard  prating,  she  drew 
from  the  elder  negress  all  the  superstitious  lore 
which  formed  the  only  furniture  wherewith  the  mind 
of  the  decrepit  crone  was  supplied. 

Alida  unwittingly  thus  attached  these  humble 
companions  to  her  ;  and  as  their  simple-hearted  af- 
fection more  and  more  manifested  itself,  she  began 
at  last  to  derive  a  certain  solace  from  their  sympa- 
thy which  actually  approached  to  pleasure  in  their 
society.  The  dungeon-doomed  captive,  who,  in 
his  solitary  misery,  has  made  friends  of  animals 
that  belong  to  the  very  lowest  and  most  loathsome 
orders  of  created  beings,  can  alone,  perhaps,  appre- 
ciate this  growth  of  friendship  between  a  mind  the 
most  gifted  and  refined,  and  those  the  least  tutored 
and  liberalized. 

On  the  day — if  the  phrase  be  allowable  in  regions 
where  night  alone  hath,  since  creation,  reigned — 
on  the  day  that  Bradshawe  came  on  his  stern  errand 
to  the  Lady's  Chapel,  Alida  had,  from  some  slight 
indisposition,  rv:mained  withdrawn  in  her  tent ;  and 
the  two  blacks,  for  the  purpose  of  washing  some 
household  articles,  had  kindled  a  fire  upon  the  brink 
of  the  stream,  within  a  few  yards  of  its  door,  where 
they  sat  watching  a  boiling  kettle,  and  chattering 
together  after  the  manner  of  their  loquacious  race. 
The  souqd  of  their  voices  prevented  their  hearing 


lii;. 


H 


m 

|f  ^1 

8 

i  A 

i^dUi'^M 

i|:|i 

812 


OSBTSLABE ; 


Bradshawe's  approach ;  and  as  he  extinguished  his 
torch  the  moment  he  came  within  the  guiding  light 
of  their  fire,  he  was  wholly  unobserved  till  he  stood 
suddenly  before  them. 

The  shriek  they  simultaneously  uttered  at  the 
apparition  startled  Alida  from  her  couch,  and  she 
sprang  to  her  feet,  lifting,  at  the  same  time,  the  cur- 
tain of  her  tent,  so  that  the  light  of  a  lamp  suspend- 
ed from  within  fell  brokenly  across  her  loosely  ar- 
rayed person. 

Bradshawe,  motioning  with  the  back  of  his  hand 
as  if  he  would  cuff  Hhe  negroes  aside,  pushed  his 
way  at  once  rudely  between  them.  "  Shut  up,  you 
squalling  black  brutes,"  cried  the  ruffian,  in  a  cnar- 
acteristic  tone,  which  changed  on  the  instant,  as  if 
belonging  to  another  voice,  as,  bowing  low,  he  sa- 
luted Alida  when  he  had  approached  a  few  paces 
toward  her. 

"  I  have  come,'*  said  he,  pausing  in  his  advance, 
and  casting  his  eyes,  as  in  respect  to  her,  upon  the 
ground,  "  I  have  come,  unheralded  and  unannoun- 
ced, I  fear,  no  welcome  visiter." 

"  Unheralded  ?  Who  but  the  savtfce  Valtmeyer 
is  your  fitting  herald  ?  Unannounced!  What  bet- 
ter than  the  terrors  of  this  hideous  dungeon  could 
announce  its  proper  jailer!  Waste  not  the  soft 
speeches  that  sit  so  idly  on  your  lips,  and  are 
thrown  away  in  my  ears.  *But  tell  me,  tell  me, 
Walter  Bradshawe,  whence  come  you,  why  come 
you  ?  Tell  me  why  I  am  here ;  for  what  monstrous 
wickedness  have  I  been  kidnapped,  kept  for  months 
aloof  from  my  friends  and  family,  and  brought  to 
this  spot  ?  and  why  do  you  stand  there  blasting 
my  eyes  with  your  presence  ?  Speak  out,  man ; 
out  with  it  all,  if  words  can  syllable  the  foul  contri- 
vings  of  your  heart !" 
V  Thus  haughtily  did  Alida  confront  her  spoiler; 


•f\^ 


A   BOMANCf  or  THfl  MOHAWK. 


S18 


iguished  his 
l^uiding  light 
till  he  stood 

ered  at  the 
ich,  and  she 
ime,  the  cur- 
mp  suspend- 
r  loosely  ar- 

:  of  his  hand 
,  pushed  his 
Shut  up,  you 
m,  in  a  char- 
instant,  as  if 
;  low,  he  sa- 
a  few  paces 

his  advance, 
ler,  upon  the 
d  unannoun- 

re  Valtmeyer 
f  What  bet- 
mgeon  could 
not  the  soft 
ips,  and  are 
me,  tell  me, 
[],  why  come 
at  monstrous 
}t  for  months 
i  brought  to 
lere  blasting 
k  out,  man ; 
e  foul  contri- 

her  spoiler; 


and  as  she  thus,  in  look  as  well  as  words,  gave 
vent  to  her  outraged  feelings,  while  Bradshawe, 
standing  on  the  declivity  below  her,  seemed  to  stoop 
and  cower  before  her  presence,  she  looked — half 
emerfling  from  the  drapery  of  the  tent,  with  the 

Eale  Tight  from  within  brightening  the  outlines  of 
er  features  and  person,  and  leavincr  the  rest  in 
deep  shadow — she  looked  like  some  indisnant  spirit, 
who,  descending  from  a  brighter  world,  nad  pierced 
its  way  into  these  black  realms  to  rebuke  their  un- 
hallowed master. 

"  By  Jove,  she'll  unhitch  lightning  against  me 
next,"  said  Bradshawe,  mentally.  *'  She's  a  great 
girl,  and  no  mistake,  this  same  Mistress  Brad- 
shawe f  and  then,  still  preserving  his  obsequious  and 
almost  reverential  bearing  toward  her,  he  rejoined 
aloud,  "  I  can  bear  this  irom  you ;  this,  and  more, 
A\idEL./rMy  heart  has  not  now,  for  the  first  time, 
to  be  schooled  in  your  unkindness.  If  you  call  it 
kidnapping  to  rescue  you  from  the  horrors  of  Indian 
captivity;  if  you  call  it  outrage  to  provide  a  se- 
cluded and  safe  home  for  you,  when  the  havoc  of 
civil  war  has  made  thousands  shelterless,  and  your 
own  friends  are  either  scattered  or  slain ;  if  you 
call  it  wickedness  to  snatch  you  from  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  these  scenes  of  horror  as  they  thicken 
through  the  land,  and  provide  you  here  a  retreat 
which,  rude  and  gloomy  as  I  confess  it  is,  still  is 
not  without  its  comforts  and  advantages ;  if  tRese 
humble,  but  zealous  and  unwearying  efforts  of  one 
who  has  long  since  waived  his  right  as  a  husband 
to  win  your  regard  as  a  friend,  can  make  no  amends 
for  the  one  rash  but  well-meant  act  by  which  I 
would  have  made  you  mine — then — then,  Alida — 
then—" 
"Then,  sir!"  said  the  lady,  scornfully,  as  he 


ri: 


814 


OIUmLABB ; 


a  .11 


t    I 


paused  a  moment  for  a  word ;  "  well,  sir,  and  what 
then  r 

**  Vm  d— d  if  /  know,"  said  Bradshawe  to  him- 
self. "  The  jade  looks  so  cursed  cool  that  my 
stump  eloquence  fails  me.  I  must  go  it  on  some 
other  touch.*' 

"  Why  don't  you  finish  your  speech,  sir  ?"  repeat- 
ed Alida,  noticing  his  hesitation.  "  Why  stop  you 
so  short  in  your  pleadings  and  specifications  ?  Even 
Mr.  Bradshawe's  enemies  allow  him  the  glibness,  as 
well  as  the  guile,  of  a  county-court  attorney." 

He  did  not  reply,  and  the  lady  went  on.  "  Brad- 
shawe, you  are  a  skilful  actor,  a  most  specious 
hypocrite,  though  your  selfish  passions  are  too  fit- 
ful and  stormy  to  make  you  a  consummate  one. 
But  you  must  deem  me  credulous  indeed  when  you 
claim  for  yourself  motives  of  disinterested  kindness 
which  would  give  the  lie  to  all  I  have  known  of 
your  character  in  long  years  gone  by.  The  very 
attachment  with  whose  declaration  this  cruel  perse- 
cution began,  was — " 

"  Was  true,  pure,  disinterested,  by  Heaven  !"  ex- 
claimed Bradshawe,  now  really  speaking  from  his 
heart ;  "  was  earnest  and  devoted  as  ever  mortal 
man  bore  toward  your  sex.  No,  no,  Alida,  chafe 
me  not  with  that.  Had  you  but  accepted  my  hon- 
ourable proposals  when  first  I  dared  to  press  my  suit, 
you  might  nave  made  me  what  you  would.  Wild 
ancT  reckless  as  men  called  me,  my  mother's  gen- 
tleness seemed  born  anew  in  my  spirit  whenever 
it  turned  to  you." 

^  "  And  where,*^'  said  Alida,  not  wholly  untouched 
by  this  natural  burst  of  feeling,  yet  shuddering  as 
she  spoke  the  words  which  followed,  "  where  was 
that  spirit  of  gentleness  when  those  horrid  nuptials 
were  forced  upon  me ;  when,  by  your  lawless  in- 
struments, I  was  torn  from  my  home,  and  my  hand 


I  m 


▲  nOMAMOB  OV  TBI  MOBAWK. 


81ft 


lir,  and  what 

^ 

lawe  to  him- 
ool  that  my 
{0  it  on  some 

air  r  repcat- 
l^hy  itop  you 
itions?  Even 
io  glibness,  as 
torney." 
on.     "  Brad- 
nost  specious 
ns  are  too  fit- 
lummate  one. 
eed  when  you 
isted  kindness 
ive  known  of 
y.    The  very 

8  cruel  perse- 
Heaven  !"  ex- 
ling  from  his 

9  ever  mortal 
,  Alida,  chafe 
jpted  my  hon- 
press  my  suit, 
would.  Wild 
mother's  gen- 
)irit  whenever 

]y  untouched 
huddering  as 

"  where  was 
orrid  nuptials 
ir  lawless  in- 

and  my  hand 


to  you  in  wedlock  made  the  price  by  which  alone 
you  consented  to  redeem  me  from  the  licentioui 
hands  of  that  young  barbarian  with  whom  you,  at 
well  as  Valtmeyer,  were  colleagued  ?  That  fearful 
niffht !  oh  God  !  oh  God  !"  And  the  tiow  agitated 
Auda  covered  her  face  with  her  hands,  as  if  shutting 
out  some  hideous  spectre  which  her  imagination 
had  conjured  up  for  the  moment. 

"  You  have  never  had  reason,"  said  Bradshawe, 
coldly,  "  to  believe  that  I  was  privy  to  that  deed  of 
violence  ;  and  though,  for  certain  valuable  political 
services  he  has  rendered,  I  have  since  taken  Valt- 
meyer into  my  confidence,  no  man  has  ever  dared 
to  whisper  audibly  that  I  was  at  that  time  colleagued 
with  him.  No,  Alida,  though  you  then  disbelieved 
the  tale,  I  can  now  only  repeat  the  same  story  I  told 
you  then.  And  what  are  the  circumstances?  I 
nad  been  some  weeks  from  home  in  a  remote  set- 
tlement, and,  returning  by  a  short  road  through  the 
wilderness,  I  stop  to  bait  my  horse  at  the  solitary 
lodge  of  an  Indian  missionary.  I  find  the  tifnid 
man  in  the  utmost  anxiety  about  a  female  prisoner 
that,  within  an  hour,  had  been  brought  to  the  house 
by  a  ferocious  young  savage,  whose  band  is  hover- 
ing near.  His  followers  have  called  the  spoiler 
away  for  a  few  hasty  moments,  and  left  a  white 
desperado  to  stand  guard  over  the  captive.  I  ask 
to  see  her,  and,  to  my  horror,  discover  that  it  is 
Alida  ;  she  whom,  a  short  month  since,  I  had  hoped 
to  call  my  Alida ;  she  for  whom  still,  as  her  rejected 
lover,  I  cherished  the  deepest  respect,  the  tender- 
est  affection.  In  my  wrath  I  threaten  Valtmeyer 
for  the  part  he  has  played  in  this  forced  abduction. 
He  derides  my  anger,  and  points  to  the  smoke  t^ 
the  Indian  fires  near  by,  as  seen  through  the  win- 
dow. I  entreat,  I  conjure  him.  I  add  bribes  to 
my  entreaties,  and  he  consents  to  hear  me,  but  re- 


m^ 


216 


omxTiiiAss ; 


jects  the  alternatires  of  flight  or  resistance  as  equal- 
ly hopeless  in  rescuinff  the  prisoner.  There  is  hut 
one  resort  remains,  lam  not  personally  unknown 
to  Au-neh-yesh ;  I  must  plead  to  him.  But  will  he 
hear  me  in  such  a  cause  ?  He  has  already  ayow- 
ed  to  the  Catholic  missionary  his  intention  to  marry 
the  white  woman ;  will  he  be  dissuaded  from  his 
course  by  words,  when  his  deeds  have  Just  proyed 
(he  determination  of  his  character.  No  !  there  is 
no  way  of  rescuing  you  from  the  ruthless  hands  of 
that  licentious  son  of  Brant,  but  by  convincing  him 
that  you  are  already  married ;  that,  in  a  word,  you 
are  my  wife.  Proofs  are  wanting ;  for,  as  you  do 
not  bear  my  name,  t  must  make  it  appear  that  the 
espousals  long  since  took  place  clandestinely.  The 
missionary  is  the  only  party  at  hand  whose  testimo- 
ny will  be  believed ;  but  he  refuses  to  give  it  falsely. 
He  will  not  swear  that  we  are  married  unless  the 
rite  be  solemnized ;  but  he  consents,  if  we  accept 
his  ministry  at  once,  to  leave  a  blank  in  the  mar- 
riage certificate,  which  I  can  antedate,  so  that  Au- 
neh-yesh  sliall  have  no  suspicion  of  being  over- 
reached. What  remains  to  be  told  T  You  startle 
from  a  stupor  as  you  hear  the  dreadful  sound  of  his 
voice  approaching  from  a  distance ;  there  is  not  a 
moment  to  be  lost ;  the  service  is  hurried  through ; 
you  faint  at  the  last  response,  but  the  ceremony  is 
finished,  and  the  demi-savage  foiled  in  his  claim 
before  he  makes  his  appearance  at  the  door." 

"  God  of  mercy !"  passionately  exclaimed  Alida, 
clasping  her  hands  together,  "  is  Thy  truth  like  hu- 
man truth?  Not  one  word  which  that  man  has 
spoken  can  I  gainsay ;  yet,  while  the  very  scene 
he  describes  passed  before  my  eyes — my  own  eyes 
— I  feel,  I  know,  that  it  was  all  false ;  false,  fiend- 
ishly false.  A  lib;  a  living,  breathing,  moving 
lie.* 


/  K  1 


A  ROMANCB  OF  THE  MOHAWK. 


217 


tnce  as  equal- 
There  is  hut 
ftUy  unknown 
But  will  he 
ilready  aTow- 
uion  to  many 
tded  from  his 
re  just  proTed 
No !  there  is 
hless  hands  of 
onvincinc  him 
in  a  word,  you 
for,  as  you  do 
ppear  that  the 
estinely.   The 
(vhose  testimo- 
give  it  falsely, 
ried  unless  the 
L  if  we  accept 
k  in  the  mar- 
te,  so  that  Au- 
3f  being  over- 
!   You  startle 
ul  sound  of  his 
there  is  not  a 
irried  through ; 
e  ceremony  is 
d  in  his  claim 
he  door." 
[claimed  Alida, 
Y  truth  like  hu- 
that  man  has 
the  very  scene 
—my  own  eyes 
e ;  false,  fiend- 
athing,  moving 


She  paused.  **  Yet  I  did  see  that  stony-eyed  priest ; 
I  did  hear  Bradshawe  pleading  with  Valtmeyer ;  I 
do  remember  leaping  forward  when  I  hesod  the 
voice  of  that  red  barbarian,  whose  naked  arm  had 
been  aroiind  my  waist  an  hour  before. — More  I  re- 
member not  till  they  showed  me  that  fatal  certifi- 
cate ;  but  even  then  I  did  not  think  that  this  was 
all  a  cruel  inveiglement,  and  Bradshawe  a  specious 
villain,  a  most  accursed. — When  and  whence,  then, 
came  this  firm  conviction  that  I  was  foully  dealt 
with — that  I  was  a  blind  victim  in  the  toils  of  de- 
mons?" 

The  ill-starred  lady,  while  speaking  thus,  with 
eyes  intensely  fixed  on  vacancy,  pushed  back  with 
her  fingers  the  long  tresses  from  her  brow,  as  if  her 
intellectual  as  well  as  physical  vision  could  thus  be 
cleared.  Then  shaking  her  head,  from  which  the 
dishevelled  hair  again  tell  slowly  to  her  shoulders, 
she  turned  and  fixed  on  Bradshawe  a  look  so  mourn- 
ful yet  so  piercing,  that  even  his  features  of  bronze 
betrayed  the  uneasy  and  painful  emotion  it  awaken- 
ed. But  whether  that  emotion  was  one  of  alarm 
for  the  future  or  of  remorse  for  the  past ;  whether 
his  guilty  heart  quailed  beneath  that  penetrating 
glance,  or  whether  the  grief-stricken  mien  of  the 
Beautiful  woman  whom  he  had  reduced  to  this  con- 
dition of  forlornness  touched  some  latent  feeling 
of  pity  and  regret,  it  was  impossible  to  say.  The 
slight  agitation  passed  rapidly  from  his  counte- 
nance, and,  folding  his  arms  with  a  composed  but 
dejected  air,  in  wmch  something  of  dignity  was  not 
unmingled,  he  said, 

"  Madam,  it  is  in  vain  for  me  to  attempt  removing 
these  ungenerous,  these  monstrous  suspicions.  F 
shall  never  attempt  to  combat  with  them  more ;  nor 
would  I  now  have  said  what  I  have  said,  save  that 
I  always  attributed  your  hwror  of  my  legal  claim 

Vol.  I.— T 


I 


!    ' 


•'m 


m 


Hi,, 


218 


ORBTILAER  ; 


; 


i  \    n 


upon  your  hand  to  some  painful  impression  upon 
your  mind,  made  during  the  fits  of  delirium  which 
marked  the  long  illness  that  followed  those  unhap- 
py nuptials.  I  therefore  suspended  that  claim  till 
years  should  intervene  and  efface  these  frightful 
imaginings.  I  for  years  avoided  molesting  you  with 
my  hateful  presence,  though,  unseen  by  you,  I  was 
x)ften  hovering  near.  I  kept  secret  the  bond  of 
union  between  us.  I  thought  that  time  might  soft- 
en the  bitterness  of  your  aversion.  I  hoped  to  melt 
at  last  that  heart  of  obduracy.  But  I  have  reason- 
ed vainly.  An  opportunity  such  as  I  have  recently 
availed  myself  of  to  prove  my  watchful  affection 
and  devotedness,  may  never  again  occur ;  and  if  it 
does,  what  will  be  my  reward  if  I  embrace  it  ? 
Scorn  and  contempt — ay,  those  are  my  wages — 
scorn  for  the  feelings  that  prompted  the  service, 
contempt  for  the  claim  I  would  thus  purchase  on 
your  regard." 

The  lady  bowed  her  head  and  wept.  The  bor- 
derer saw  he  was  gaining  an  advantage,  and  deter- 
mined to  pursue  it.  She  spoke  not,  and  he  thus 
went  on : 

"  Hear  me,  Alida :  there  was  a  time  when,  in  the 
full  tide  of  youth,  madly  as  I  loved  you,  I  would 
never  have  taken  you  as  a  reluctant  partner  to  my 
bosom.  But  years  of  care  and  disappointment  have 
sobered  this  arrogance  of  all-exacting  affection.  I 
am,  alas !  no  longer  young ;  and  the  freshness  of  both 
our  lives  has  passed  away  for  ever.  I  never  have 
loved,  I  never  can  love,  another  than  you ;  ,and  you 
—you  can  nevfer  belong  to  another  until  my  death 
shall  set  you  free.  Why,  then,  oh  why  shall  we  both 
continue  to  be  miserable  for  our  remaining  years  ? 
Why  will  you  not  make  it  my  privilege,  as  it  is 
my  right,  to  minister  to  your  happiness,  by  crown- 
ing mine  ?    Why  not  confide  in  the  partner  whom 


k 


ViM 


▲  SOMANCB  OF  THB  MOHAWK. 


219 


e  when,  in  the 


Destiny  has,  for  good  or  ill,  allotted  you,  and  per- 
mit me  to  announce  you  to  the  world  as  my  wife  ? 
These  wars  must  soon  be  over,"  pursued  the  Tory 
captain,  gathering  confidence  as  he  proceeded ;  "  the 
rebels  are  even  now  splitting  into  factions  among 
themselves ;  and  when  the  king's  friends  come  in 
for  honour  and  offices,  and  the  forfeited  estates  of 
heavy-pursed  and  rich-landed  traitors,  Walter  Brad- 
shawe's  claims  for  the  spoils  that  are  won  by  loyalty 
and  valour  will  not  be  the  feeblest  among  them. 
Ay,  and  men  do  say  that  titles  will  not  be  with- 
held when  success  snail  finally  entitle  us  to  the  full 
meed  of  royal  bounty  and  graciousness.  Wilt  be 
my  Lady  Bradshawe,  fair  Alida  ?"  And  the  wily 
suiter,  dropping  not  ungracefully  on  one  knee,  tried 
that  half  frank,  half  humorous  smile  which  had 
made  more  than  one  village  maiden  pronounce  him 
positively  handsome  when  his  features  wore  it,  and 
which  others  of  the  sex,  less  innocent,  had  call- 
ed "  the  devil's  own  trick"  when  they  had  learned 
to  rue  its  influence  upon  their  hearts.  But  Alida — 
though  she  too  might,  in  some  sense,  be  numbered 
among  his  victims — was  made  of  different  metal 
from  those  whom  Bradshawe  had  often  moulded 
to  his  purpose. 

"  Kneel  not  to  me,"  she  cried,  "  thou  base  and 
sordid  slave !  thou  wretched  minion  of  power  de- 
bauched and  misapplied  !  thou  most  fitting  tool  of 
drunken  tyranny  !  Share  thy  name !  thy  loyal  name, 
thy  honours,  thy  titles,  forsooth !  Vile  parricide,  I 
thank  thee  for  reminding  me  of  my  bleeding  coun- 
try, which  even  now  is  convulsed  with  the  throe  of 
casting  out  such  wretches  as  thou  from  her  bosom. 
By  Heaven,  Bradshawe,  I  would  rather  these  rocks 
should  close  together  and  crush  me  where  I  stand, 
or  that  yon  black  stream  should  float  my  senseless 
corse  to  an  abyss  still  lower  than  that  in  which  your 


I  (- III!  II 


M 


iillil 


ft  >      w 


r;> .' 


J. 


t   ' 


220 


orbtUiAIr: 


k: 


Tillany  has  already  buried  my  living  frame ;  I  would, 
I  would,  rather  than  bear  the  name  of  your  wife 
before  men  for  a  single  day  !** 

"  There  may  be  a  fate  reserved  for  you  in  these 
vaults  worse  than  either,"  said  Bradshawe,  in  a  voice 
husky  with  passion,  as  he  regained  his  feet  and 
stepped  a  pace  or  two  backward.  A  sheathed  pon- 
iard, unnoticed  by  himself,  slipped  from  his  belt 
as  he  rose,  and  lay  upon  the  floor  of  the  cavern 
midway  between  him  and  Alida.  Her  quick  eye 
caught  sicht  of  the  weapon  in  a  moment ;  and,  al- 
most ere  the  dreadful  import  of  the  last  words  had 
reached  her  ears,  she  haa  sprung  forward,  plucked 
the  dirk  from  the  ground,  and  recovered  her  former 
position.  Bradshawe,  recoiling  first  at  the  impet- 
uous bound  she  had  made  toward  him,  now  actu- 
.  ally  turned  pale  when  he  saw  her  slowly  draw  the 
weapon  from  its  sheath,  and  gaze  with  a  cold  smile 
upon  its  gleaminff  blade.  He  would  have  spokeo, 
but  horror  kept  him  tongue-tied ;  he  woula  have 
leaped  forward  to  snatch  the  deadly  steel  from  her 
hand,  but  the*  least  motion  on  his  part  would  pre- 
cipitate the  catastrophe  which  he  verily  believed 
was  impending.  But  the  next  movement  of  Alida 
relieved  the  fearful  suspense  that  agitated  himr 
She  calmly,  after  feeling  its  point,  passed  the  naked 
dagger  through  her  girdle,  so  as  to  secure  it  to  her 
person. 

"  It  is  small,  but  it  will  do,"  she  said,  flinging  the 
sheath  to  the  feet  of  Bradshawe.  "  Your  power 
over  me  £rom  this  moment  has  its  limit.  Tne  in- 
strument of  my  deliverance  is  in  my  own  hands ; 
and  you  can  do  no  more  than  compel  me  to  use  it," 
she  added,  with  an  air  of  determination,  so  quiet  as 
sufficiently  to  speak  her  resolve,  even  if  the  words 
had  not  been  significant  enough  to  reveal  her  pur- 
pose. 


'jrff 


'ill  I, 


▲  ROMANCB  or  TRB  MOSAWK. 


221 


me ;  I  would, 
of  your  wife 

you  in  these 
we,  in  a  voice 
his  feet  and 
iheathed  pon- 
rom  his  belt 
if  the  cavern 
5r  quick  eye 
ent ;  and,  al- 
,st  words  had 
^ard,  plucked 
id  her  former 
It  the  impel* 
n,  now  actu* 
wrly  draw  the 

a  cold  smile 
tiave  spoken, 
I  would  have 
^eel  from  her 
t  would  pre- 
rily  believed 
ent  of  Alida 
^itated  him: 
id  the  naked 
ure  it  to  her 

,  flinging  the 
Your  power 
it.  The  in- 
own  hands ; 
le  to  use  it/* 
,  so  quiet  as 
f  the  words 
tal  her  pur- 


"  I  meant  not — I  did  not  mean — '*  stammered 
Bradshawe. 

"  Our  conference  is  over,  sir ;  and  it  has  a  fittinff 
end,**  interrupted  Alida,  haughtily,  waving  her  hand. 
"  I  would  be  alone,  Mr.  Bradshawe." 

"  Another  time,  then,  when  my  care  for  your 
welfare,  so  far  as  I  can  study  it  in  these  dreary  re- 
treats, shall  have  obliterated  these  ignominious  sus- 
picions, this  most  ungenerous  and  unjust  misinter- 
pretation of  every  word  I  utter,  I  will  come,  Alida, 
and  in  a  few  days,  perhaps,  may  venture  to — " 

**  Come,  sir,'  whenever  you  have  made  up  your 
mind  to  the  moment  my  doom  is  sealed ;  but  let 
the  victim  be  released  from  the  presence  of  the  ex- 
<M||iioner  for  the  few  hours  that  may  yet  be  allotted 


The  curtainiDf  the  tent%opped  before  her  as  she 
mounced  these  words ;  and  Bradshawe,  too  much 
by  the  sudden  turn  which  events  had 
taken,  and  confounded  by  the  position  in  which  he 
had  placed  himself,  withdrew  sullenly  to  his  boat, 
without  bestowing  the  least  fl|ice  upon  his  gaping 
slaves,  who  had  been  the  miRI  and  astonished  wit- 
nesses of  ^is  singular  scene. 

"  What  a  cursed  blockhead  I  was  to  threaten  a 
storm,  when  I  had  lots  of  time  to  circumveni^  and 
a  thousand  other  ways  to  drive  the  garrison  to  sui^i 


r^eR    Wat  Bri^hawe,  you  are 
than  most  men  believe  you.    You 
to  let  your  blood  get  above  your  brai 
because  a  theatrical  girl  is  mad  enoug] 


you, 

iment, 

iicoff^t 

you!    She,  too,  wholly,  al  lit  flaofl^pf  »i  ybur 


as 


power !    Zounds !  but  w^-h$^^^0ii,  mil(B% gallant 


thing  of  it. 
as  it  did; 
Amazon 
tall  girl;  a 


lio,  slipping  away 

not  a  mstolf'or  the 

five  padis.    She's  a 

esh,  that  W^^ 


.# 


m 


m: 


WW 


#. 


S22 


CIBSiraLABB; 


^IP 


f   i 


Miftreis  Bradshawe.  I  don't  know  whether  it  be 
love  or  hatred  that  drives  me  on ;  but  something 
does  dri?e  me.  If  loYe,  there's  certainly  a  streak  of 
malice  in  it.  If  hatred^  there  must  be  some  wishy* 
washy  drippings  of  tenderness  in  the  bitter  waters, 
for  my  heartbeat  the  dcTil's  tattoo  when  she  pointed 
that  internal  bodkin  so  near  to  her  bosom.  Hallo, 
Charon !  mongrel  half-breed !  bowknot  of  twisted 
man's  flesh !  hither,  I  say  \  Ah  \  my  good  Charon,  I 
dreamed  not  you  were  so  near  at  hiand." 

And  Bradshawe,  terminating  his  amiable  solilo- 
quy as  his  deformed  follower  joined  him  at  the  open- 
ing in  the  rock  where  they  had  before  separated, 
the  two  soon  afterward  regained  the  Outlaws'  Ha)Ly 


• 


w 


m 


iJ^ji-'^ 


A  BOMAIfOI  OF  THB  MOHAWK. 


S8$ 


CHAPTER  VI. 


THB  REFUGBIS. 

**  There's  song  and  oath,  and  gaming  deep, 
Hot  words  and  laughter,  maacarouse ; 
There's  naught  of  prayer  and  Uttle  sleep : 
The  devil  keeps  the  house."— T%e  Bnuaiuier.  1* 

An  injury  may  be  forgiven  by  a  proud  spirit,  but 
an  insult  nerer.  And  what  human  being  is  with- 
out his  share  of  pride  ?  That  miserable  deformed 
half-breed;  that  crooked  mongrel  of  a  man;  that 
dumb  and  uncomplaining  slave  of  the  gloomy  mine 
of  Waneonda,  had  yet  his  human  feelinffs,  had  still 
his  modicum  of  inward  self-esteem,  which  brutal 
words  could  wound  and  outrage.  His  vocation  in 
those  tomb-like  cells,  though  toilsome  and  humble^ 
was  still  one  of  the  greatest  trust ;  for  he  was  alUce 
warder  and  seneschal  of  that  subterranean  castle, 
whose  moat  and  drawbridge  were  the  black  stream 
and  tottering  skiff  of  the  hunchback  ferryman. 

With  these  defences  the  renegade  garrison  had 
always  held  themselves  safe  from  hostile  intrusion. 
They  might  be  starved  out  of  their  ctronghold,  but 
it  could  never  be  carried  by  assault.  For,  however 
the  secret  of  the  cave  mignt  become  k||fvn,  its  re- 
cesses could  never  be  penetrated  hf^,  stranger, 
save  through  the  treachery  ^  the  fen^an. 

That  ]poor  wretch,  wbq^M  h^>f  •  ofily  known  by 
the  8obTi(][uet  of  Charq^  JMi  Biad  had  nick- 

named him,  had  alwm  enjoyed  his  confidence, 
and  hitherto  not  undesKiredly ;  though,  while  Brad- 
shawe  regaided  himself  as  tke  patron  of  the  half- 


m 


-s"  ■»  i-vr* 


„.l 


III 


PW 


Ht^    I'll     t  tl*; 


SS4 


QKITSL4BEi 


breed,  and  entitled  to  his  gratitude,  the  other,  per- 
haps, had  merely  viewed  their  relations  toward  each 
other  as  a  mutual  a£fair  of  give  and  take,  which  left 
neither  party  under  special  obligations  to  the  other. 
The  half-breed,  who  had  originally  been  a  fisher- 
man by  occupation,  had,  in  lormer  years,  pointed 
out  the  cave  to  Bradshawe  when  acting  as  his  guide 
to  the  trout-streams  among  the  hills.  Bradshawe, 
learning  that  the  spot  had  been  hitherto  known  only 
to  the  Indians,  and,  for  some  motive  best  known  to 
himself,  wishing  that  a  knowledge  of  it  should  be 
extended  to  those  white  men  only  to  whom  he  chose 
to  intrust  it,  determined  instantly  to  take  the  half- 
breed  into  his  service,  upon  condition  of  his  keeping 
the  secret  of  the  place. 

Time  passed  on ;  the  half-breed,  carried  to  an- 
other part  of  the  country,  became  a  useless  hanger- 
on  of  Bradshawe's  establishment ;  nominally  a  pro- 
vider for,  but  really  a  pensioner  upon,  Bradshawe's 
kitchen ;  in  short,  one  of  that  lounging,  eel-catching 
degenerates  of  the  aborigines  that  may  still  be  found 
near  some  of  the  old  families  on  Long  Island,  inci- 
dent, as  it  were,  rather  than  belonging  to  the  estab- 
hshment.  The  abduction  of  Miss  De  Roos,  which 
made  it  necessary  for  Valtmeyer,  who  played  the 
part  of  scapegoat  in  that  afifair,  to  disappear  from 
among  men  for  a  time,  was  the  first  thing  that  call- 
ed the  half-breed  and  his  secret  into  actual  use. 
Since  that  time  he  had  silently  almost  passed  into 
yaltmeyei||;8ervice,  who  sometimes  for  a  month 
together  reiiioed^him  in  the  cavern,  of  which  he 
was  a  perfeictly  contented  tenant,  and  which  grew 
more  and  moire  like  a  h^^lj^  to  him.  Idle  by  nature, 
yet  always  to  be  relied  imon  when  any  duty  was 
required  of  him,  this  inoneiyiive,  tacfturn  creature 
was  one  of  the  few  human^eings  who  had  never 
provoked  the  imperious  insolence  of  BradsheweV 


'm\. 


▲  ROMANCE  OF  THB  MOHAWK. 


225 


le  other,  per- 
I  toward  each 
Le,  which  left 

to  the  other, 
een  a  fisher- 
ears,  pointed 
[  as  his  guide 

Bradshawe, 
>  known  only 
est  known  to 

it  should  be 
lom  he  chose 
ike  the  half- 
f  his  keeping 

rried  to  an- 
iless  hanger- 
linally  a  pro- 
Sradshawe^s 
eel-catching 
till  be  found 
Island,  inci- 
o  the  estab- 
Roos,  which 
played  the 
appear  from 
ng  that  call- 
actual  use. 
passed  into 
or  a  month 
>f  which  he 
which  grew 
e  by  nature, 
y  duty  was 
m  creature 
had  never 
^radshaweV 


nature  when  brought  in  familiar  contact  with  him. 
But  his  brutality  did  break  out  at  last  in  the  hour 
that,  foaming  with  rage  and  vexation,  he  called  for 
the  service  of  the  ferryman  when  returning  from  his 
fruitless  interview  with  Alida.  The  jeer  at  his  de- 
formity was  resented  by  the  half-breed  even  in  the 
moment  it  was  uttered ;  for  the  means  of  venseance 
were  at'hand,  and,  as  we  shall  soon  see,  he  did  not 
hesitate  to  embrace  them. 

The  goodly  company  to  which  Bradshawe  was 
now  about  to  mtroduce  himself  in  the  Outlaws*  Hall 
might,  in  the  slight  glimpse  we  have  had  of  them 
in  these  deep  cavern  shades,  have  passed  well 
enoush  as  a  redoubtable  crew  of  desperadoes,  a  real 
melodramatic  set  of  brigands.  But  the  truth  is, 
that,  though  felon-loving  old  Salvator  might  have 
picked  out  a  head  or  two  among  them  for  his  sav- 
age pencil,  a  majority  of  these  worthies  would  have 
formed  a  more  suitable  study  for  some  American 
Wilkie — our  own  Richard  Mount,  perhaps — whose 
canvass,  borrowing  for  the  nonce  some  broader  and 
bolder  shadows,  might  delight  in  preserving  the  gro- 
tesque array  of  characters. 

Among  Valtmeyer*s  immediate  crew  there  were, 
indeed,  some  as  hideous-looking  gentlemen  as  ever 
said  stand  and  deliver  upon  the  highway.  Faces 
stolid  yet  ferocious ;  looks  blended  of  sinister  mal- 
ice and  sensual  audacity ;  wild,  rude,  and  reckless- 
featured  men,  with  that  dash  of  the  genuine  savage 
in  their  aspect  which  is  only  acquired  by  pursuing 
a  career  of  crime  upon  the  extreme  borders  of  so- 
ciety, where  the  practitioner  incessantly  vibrates 
between  civilized  and  barbarian  life ;  a  variety  of 
the  robber  species,  in  shor%«uch  as  is  only  found 
upon  our  Indian  frontiers ;  such  as  the  curious  may 
occasionally  there  light  upon  even  at  this  day  ;  but 


m 


i '  ■ '  \ 


liiii 


826 


OEBTILABB ; 


r.Jlii 


r£ . 


m 


such  88  only  existed  in  perfection  when  the  name 
of  Red  Woffert  Valtmeyer  was  terrible  in  the  land.  * 

But,  though  these  ill-omened  visages  flowered 
here  and  there  from  beneath  the  wolfskm  cap  or 
checkered  handkerchief  which  swathed  around  the 
brows,  and,  with  some  tawdry  plume  or  Indian  med- 
al stuck  in  its  folds,  generally  formed  the  headgear 
in  this  portrait-gallery  of  infernals,  yet  there  was 
that  both  in  the  guise  and  features  of  many  which 
was  hardly  in  keeping  with  their  present  associa- 
tions. The  complexions  and  appointments  of  a  few 
betrayed  them  as  city-bred  and  of  luxurious  nur- 
ture ;  they  were  ill-disciplined  youths,  whom  the 
mad  spirit  of  loyalty,  or  some  home  disgust,  or 
some  silly  boyish  escapado,  had  driven  from  a  pa- 
rent's roof  to  the  stormy  border,  where,  in  the  whirl 
of  events,  they  had  befin  hurled,  with  the  black- 
bearded  men  around  them,  into  this  place  of  bad 
spirits,  where  so  many  had  huddled  together /or 
safety^. 

O'  :)thers,  the  faces  were  coarse,  but  not  weath- 
er-beaten, and  bloated  in  some  instances,  as  if  by 
the  loose  debauch  of  the  roadside  tippling-house, 
from  which,  perhaps,  their  swaggering  air  was  like- 
wise borrowed. 

Here  a  red  flannel  shirt,  breeches  of  corduroy, 
and  thick-soled  brogans  betrayed  the  quondam  vil- 
lage tradesman  ;  while  there  the  coat  of  foxy  black, 
or  tattered  blue  with  tarnished  metal  buttons,  and 
shrunken  underclothes  of  threadbare  gray,  might 
have  bespoken  some  bankrupt  pedler  (or  travelling 
merchant,  as  the  country  folk  would  more  reveren- 
tially call  him) ^  save  that  the  rusty-hilted  small- 
sword by  his  side,  besp^^king  his  oldfashioned  claim 
to  gentility,  might  induce  one  to  set  him  down  as 
an  absconding  attorney. 

All  of  the  motley  group,  however,  notwithstand- 


:i;,ii!llll 


^en  the  name 
B  in  the  land.  * 
ges  glowered 
olfskin  cap  or 
ed  around  the 
»r  Indian  med- 
the  headgear 
^et  there  was 
'  many  which 
esent  associa- 
nents  of  a  few 
luxurious  nur- 
18,  whom  the 
e  disgust,  or 
en  from  a  pa- 
3,  in  the  whirl 
ith  the  black- 
place  of  bad 
I  together /or 

lit  not  weath- 
nces,  as  if  by 
ippling-house, 
I  air  was  like- 

of  corduroy, 

quondam  vil- 

ofr  foxy  black, 

[  buttons,  and 

gray,  might 
(or  travelling 
more  reveren- 
-hilted  small- 
shioned  claim 
him  down  as 

notwithstand- 


A  ROXANOB  or  TBB  MOB  AMU 


2f 


ing  these  little  discrepances,  seemed  to  be  cWge 
confreres,  who  were  upon  the  choicest  terms  of  fel- 
lowship together ;  and  thouffh  Syl  Stickne/s  con- 
tribution of  new-comers  had  been  received  at  first 
rather  coolly  by  some  members  of  the  company, 
they  had  all,  doubtless,  in  other  scenes  and  places, 
often  consorted  in  brotherhood  of  some  kind  to  es- 
tablish the  harmonious  sympathy  which  reigned 
among  them. 

The  tie  of  that  brotherhood  was  political  foith ! 
They  were  all  possessed  by  that  spirit  which,  next 
to  the  old  democrat  Death,  is  your  only  true  lev- 
eller, bringing  all  men  on  whom  it  seizes,  save  only 
kings  and  demagogues,  upon  the  same  platform. 
Partu  spirit  had  made  them  at,  first  co-labourers, 
and  then  co-mates  together.  But  what  mattered  the 
temporary  inconvenience  of  so  inconffruous  an  asso- 
ciation ?  The  disagreeablenes»  ana  evils  of  their 
state  a£fected  only  themselves ;  and  what  mattered 
such  -  transient  exposure  when  the  well-being  of 
countless  generations  was  concerned  ?  Were  they 
not  loyal  subjects,  banded  together  to  sustain,  not 
merely  the  right  of  a  crowneaking,  but  to  preserve 
and  fix  the  blessed  precedence  of  rank,  with  all  its 
orderly  succession  of  prerogative,  by  which  alone 
civilization  can  be  susuiined  ? 

Thus  reasoned  some  four  or  five  small  landed 
proprietors  or  eentlemen  farmers  of  undoubted  re- 
spectability, who,  having  compromised  their  safety 
in  the  plots  of  their  party  by  being  seen  riding  home 
from  more  than  one  Tory  rendezvous,  were  now 
compelled  "  to  take  earth"  for  a  season,  and  share 
this  den  with  the  lowest  dregs  of  the  faction  to 
which  they  belonged.  These  suffering  partisans  of 
the  royal  cause  had  been  now  for  so  many  weeks 
crowded  together  in  familiar  contact  with  their 
present  comrades,  that  there  was  really  little  in  their 


iijiij. 


288 


OftlTflJkBB ; 


A) 


UM 


fc  ;* 


}^i 


Ml 


bearing  to  disUnffuish  them  fi^om  the  rest,  thouah  a 
my  ridin||-frock  and  broad-leafed  beater,  wiw  a 
Mather  in  it  of  the  same  colour,  or  the  uniform  of 
the  royal  Greens,  in  which  lome  of  them,  who  br^re 
a  commiision  in  the  yeomanry  militia,  were  dretted, 
might  hare  marked  them  at  being  better  apparalled 
than  their  comrades. 

**  Ah !  Bradshawe,*'  cried  one  of  these  worthies, 
**  Bradshawe,  my  ace  of  trumps,  I  am  rejoiced  to 
tee  you ;  for  there  are  so  few  faced  cards  in  our  pack 
here,  that  some  of  us  would  throw  up  our  hands 
in  very  disffust  weie  it  not  for  the  royal  game  weVe 
playing.  But  by  what  devilish  legerdemain  are  we 
•  all  shuffled  here  together?" 

**  Yes,  Bradshawe,"  exclaimed  another,  "  tell  u^, 
if  there  no  chance  of  our  breaking  away  from  this 
cursed  hole  till  the  rebels  come  to  unearth  us  ?" 

"  If  you  know  if  any  better  hole  to  creep  into, 
gentlemen,  there  is  nothing  to  prevent  our  parting 
company  at  any  moment  that  suits  your  pleasure, ' 
dryly  replied  Bradshawe,  at  the  same  time  saluting 
the  company  with  a  formal  courtesy. 

His  personal  retainers,  crowding  tumultuously 
around  him  the  moment  they  heard  the  sound  of  his 
Toice,  prevented  any  farther  parley  with  the  group 
of  gentlemen  who  had  first  accosted  him,  and  with 
whom,  indeed,  Bradshawe  seemed  disposed  to  con- 
verse as  little  as  possible.  The  truth  is,  that,  though 
he  had  been  more  than  once  indebted  to  the  hospi- 
tality of  some  of  them,  and  would  on  no  account 
have  been  so  impolitic  as  to  treat  any  of  them  with 
positive  rudenesr,  yet  the  presence  of  these  royal- 
ists of  the  more  respectable  class  put  a  check  upon 
his  conduct  that  filled  him  with  chagrin  ai^d  vexa- 
tion. 

More  than  one  of  these  gentlemen  had,  in  less 
troublous  times,  been  personally  acquainted  with 


m 


''&} ' ' 

^i,-. 


Eeit,  though  a 
a?er,  wiui  a 
le  uniform  of 
Btn,  who  brjre 
were  dretted, 
er  apparalled 

ese  worthies, 
n  rejoiced  to 
ii  in  our  pack 
ip  our  hands 
1  game  weVe 
Bmain  are  we 

ler,  **  tell  us, 
'ay  fronn  this 
arth  us  ?*' 

0  creep  into, 
our  parting 

ur  pleasure, 
time  saluting 

tumultuously 

1  sound  of  his 
th  the  group 
im,  ana  with 
>08ed  to  con- 
,  that,  though 
;o  the  hospi- 

no  account 
)f  them  with 
these  royal- 
check  upon 
in  aiid  veza- 

had,  in  less 
lainted  with 


▲  BOMANCl  OF  TBI  MOBAWK. 


289 


the  family  of  the  unfortunate  Alida ;  and  all  of  them 
were  men  of  that  stamp  who  would  not  hesitate  to 
embroil  themselves  in  deadly  quarrel  to  succour  a 
lady  so  iniquitously  dealt  with  as  Miss  De  Roos  had 
been.  Nor  would  his  political  faith  or  loyal  services 
have  been  any  shield  to  Bradshawe  had  these  coun* 
try  gentlemen  dreamed  of  the  villany  he  was  prac- 
tising against  the  daughter  of  an  old  neighbour  well 
known,  and  once  universally  beloved  in  the  county. 

Their  wrath,  had  it  been  once  really  awakened, 
Bradshawe  would  have  laushed  to  scorn,  and  would 
soon  have  made  them  feel,  in  their  present  situa^ 
tion,  the  folly  of  chiding  the  lion  when  their  heads 
were  in  his  mouth.  But  while,  for  very  natural  rea- 
sons, not  wishing  that  anything  shoulcl  create  disu- 
nion between  himself  and  his  orother  partisans,  he 
felt  that,  however  idly  their  indignation  might  ex- 
plode where  they  could  be  so  easily  overmastered 
by  his  immediate  crew,  yet,  to  brine  his  affair  with 
Alida  to  a  successful  termination,  the  secret  of  the 
cavern  must  not  be  extended  to  more  than  were 
at  present  intrusted  with  it.  It  was  therefore  not 
witnout  an  inward  feeling  of  satisfaction  that  he  lis- 
tened to  a  proposition  which  one  of  the  Tory  gen- 
tlemen, coming  forward  in  behalf  of  the  rest,  made 
him  as  soon  as  he  was  disengaged  from  receiving 
the  boisterous  welcome  that  others  gave  him  in  the 
Outlaws'  Hall. 

'*  We  pardon  the  coldness  of  your  greeting.  Cap- 
tain Bradshawe,"  said  this  gentleman,  "  in  consid- 
eration of  the  kindness  we  have  already  received 
from  some  of  your  servants  ;  and  because  our  some 
days'  experience  of  the  difficulty  of  providing  for. 
so  many  mouths  in  this  place  suggests  that  there 
must  be  limits  to  your  hospitality,  and — " 

"  Nay,  iiiy  dear  Fenton,"  said  Bradshawe,  seizing 

Vol.  I.— U 


-      Ii! 


'i\ 


m 


230 


ORKTSLABR 


W 


^i''^''-l 

f 

B  I 

iK\; 

both  hands  of  the  speaker,  "  I  beg  you  would  not 
mention — ** 

"  Pardon  me,  Captain  Bradshawe/'  said  the  Ref- 
ugee, bowing  somewhat  stiffly  as  he  withdrew  his 
hands  from  the  familiar  grasp  of  the  other,  "  there 
are  four  or  five  of  us  here  who  have  made  up  our 
minds  where  to  dispose  of  ourselves ;  and  all  that 
we  ask  is  a  couple  of  your  retainers,  to  act  as  guides 
and  packmen  till  we  can  make  our  way  within  the 
borders  of  Ulster  county,  where  we  are  sure  of  a 
cordial  reception  at  the  house  of  a  royalist  gentle- 
man of  our  acquaintance." 

"  The  men,  Mr.  Fenton,  are  entirely  at  your  ser- 
vice, if  you  insist  upon  thus  abruptly  taking  leave 
of  the  poor  entertainment  I  have  to  oner  you.  But 
why  not,  gentlemen,  at  the  least,  put  off  your  de- 
parture till  the  morrow  ?" 

"  We  had  no  idea  of  starting  till  to-morrow,"  re- 
joined one  of  the  older  royalists,  bluntly. 

"  Not  at  all,  not  at  all,  said  Fenton,  rather  hur- 
riedly, and  colouring  at  the  same  time  as  he  appre- 
ciated Bradshawe's  readiness  to  get  rid  of  himself 
and  his  friends ;  "  we'll  be  off  within  the  hour  if 
your  men  can  get  ready." 

"  Within  the  hour  be  it,  since  you  will  go,"  re- 
plied Bradshawe,  turning  at  once  upon  his  beel  to 
give  the  necessary  order. 

**  The  churl !"  muttered  Fenton. 

"  What  can  you  expect  from  a  hog  but  a  grunt  ?" 
echoed  Sylla. 

*'  If  you  sit  down  with  docs,  you  must  look  for 
flejis,"  rejoined  his  brother  Marius,  as  the  classic 
piair  stood  listening  to  this  colloquy  of  their  betters. 

"  I  say,  Squire  Fenton,"  pursued  Syl,  "  I  mistrust 
Marius  and  Fll  make  tracks  with  you  out  of  this 
darned  hole.  A  fellow'll  turn  into  a  woodchuck  if 
he  burrows  here  much  longer." 


ii\\ 


ou  would  not 

said  the  Ref- 
withdrew  his 
)ther,  "  there 
made  up  oui 
i  and  all  that 
act  as  guides 
ly  within  the 
Eire  sure  of  a 
^yalist  gentle- 

y  at  your  ser- 

r  taking  leave 

fer  you.     But 

off  your  de- 


» 


-morrow,  re- 

1,  rather  hur- 

as  he  appro- 

rid  of  himself 

n  the  hour  if 

ivill  CO,"  re- 


go," 
neel 


n  his  neel  to 


but  a  grunt  ?" 

nust  look  for 
18  the  classic 
'  their  betters, 
rl,  "  I  mistrust 
>u  out  of  this 
woodchuck  if 


A  ROMANCE   OF  THE  MOHAWK. 


831 


This  accession  to  his  party  was  gladly  welcomed 
by  Fenton  at  the  time,  though,  as  it  included  sev- 
eral of  Syl's  immediate  friends  and  cronies,  it  proved 
subsequently  disastrous  from  the  undue  confidence 
it  gave  Fenton  in  his  numbers,  as  will  appear  in  the 
sequel. 

The  arrangements  for  their  departure  were  soon 
completed,  fiut  the  final  exit  of  Fenton  and  his 
followers  was  attended  by  circumstances  which  can 
scarcely  be  understood  unless  we  recur  to  other  ac- 
tors in  the  scene,  athwart  whose  shadows  a  new  and 
strange  form  is  but  now  flitting  to  mingle  myste- 
riously with  the  rest.  ^ 

We  have  already  spoken  of  the  feeling  of  bitter 
exasperation  which  had  been  excited  in  the  bosom 
of  the  hunchback  feriyman  by  the  brutal  language 
of  his  master,  but  we  have  not  told  that  the  hour 
which  Bradshawe  consumed  in  the  Lady's  Chapel 
had  seen  a  trial  of  the  half-breed's  fidelity  which, 
considering  his  Indian  origin,  was  of  the  severest 
kind. 

Scarcely,  indeed,  had  the  Tory  captain  passed 
through  the  opening  in  the  rock  and  launched  in  his 
boat  upon  the  river  beyond,  before  the  Hunchback 
found  himself  in  contact  with  another  authority  than 
that  which  had  posted  him  there  as  sentinel.  Hear- 
ing the  fall  of  a  pebble  on  the  bottom  of  the  cavern, 
he  stepped  quickly  forward,  and  threw  the  light  of 
his  torch  against  the  walls  of  the  pit  by  which  you 
first  descend  into  the  cave.  He  could  discover  no- 
thing. Presently  another  pebble  rolled  to  his  feet. 
It  seemed  to  bound  from  a  led^e  of  rock  near  him. 
Still  he  could  not  fix  the  direction  whence  it  came ; 
and  he  climbs  half  way  up  the  zigzag  shaft  of  the  pit 
to  see  if  it  can  have  been  precipitated  from  without^ 
He  lifts  his  torch  aloft,  so  as  to  throw  its  light  where 
the  rope  ladder  is  wont  to  be  suspended  from  the 


m 


f 


■  yh    i'*' 


l.-#'-T*'r . 


232 


GRBYSLAER  I 


crossed  trees  above.  But  all  looks  quiet  there  and 
safe.  The  ladder  has  been,  as  usual,  drawn  in  and 
secured,  a  thin  tendril  of  grapevine,  passing  over  a 
cross  timber  above,  being  left  hanging  to  raise  it 
from  within  to  its  former  place,  when  necessary. 
Suddenly  he  sees  the  grapevine  vibrate.  The  ladder 
begins  slowly  to  uncoil,  and  rise  before  his  eyes. 
He  leaps  forward,  and  with  one  blow  cf  his  hunt- 
ing-knife severs  the  vine,  and  the  rope  falls  by  his 
side. 

"  Ugh !"  exclaims  an  Indian  voice  without,  as  the 
swinging  sliver  comes  burdenless  to  his  hand. 

The  swart  features  of  the  Hunchback  become  ra- 
'  diant  at  the  sound  as  he  tosses  his  torch  above  his 
head,  and  hails  the  stranger  in  the  Mohawk  tongue. 
The  vine  is  again  let  down.  The  Hunchback  quick- 
ly attaches  it  anew  to  the  ladder  of  rope.  It  is 
drawn  up  from  above.  A  towering  figure  darkens 
the  opening  for  a  moment,  and  then  £rant  stands 
beside  the  deformed  outcast  of  his  tribe. 

"  My  child,  how  fares  he  here  with  his  white 
father  r  said  the  chief,  kindly. 

"  *  The  Broken  Tomahawk,'  "  said  the  man,  call- 
ing himself  by  his  Indian  name,  *'  has  no  father. 
The  Mohawk  owns  not  him,  he  owns  not  the  white 
man.  He  is  here  on  his  own  bidding,  but  will  do 
the  will  of  Thayendanagea."  And,  speaking  thus, 
he  was  about  to  usher  the  chief  farther  into  the  cav- 
ern ;  for  Brant  was  known  to  him  as  the  companion 
in  arms  of  Bradshawe,  and,  as  such,  the  Hunchback 
had  no  hesitatiofi  in  farthering  his  ingress.  The 
Sachem,  however,  was  by  no  means  desirous  of  the 
interview  which  the  half-breed  thought  he  was  seek- 
ing, and  his  errand  here  must  be  a  brief  one,  if  he 
«^ouId  despatch  it  at  all.  He  ascertained  that 
nradshawe  had  already  arrived  at  Waneonda,  and 
assumed  the  personal  charge  of  his  captive.    Brant's 


liet  there  and 
drawn  in  and 
)assing  over  a 
ig  to  raise  it 
en  necessary. 
I.  The  ladder 
fore  his  eyes. 
V  cf  his  hunt- 
)e  falls  by  his 

irithout,  as  the 
lis  hand. 
:k  become  ra- 
Tch  above  his 
hawk  tongue. 
:hback  quick- 
rope.  It  is 
igure  darkens 
JBrant  stands 
be. 
ith  his  white 

the  man,  call- 
tas  no  father, 
not  the  white 
g,  but  will  do 
peaking  thus, 
•  into  the  cav- 
lie  companion 
e  Hunchback 
ngress.  The 
esirous  of  the 
\  he  was  seek- 
ief  one,  if  he 
ertained  that 
'aneonda,  and 
tive.    Brant's 


▲   ROMANCE   OF  THE  MOHAWK. 


23a 


only  chance,  then,  of  rescuing  her,  depended  upon 
the  aid  and  connivance  of  the  half-breed ;  and  that 
aid  could  only  be  secured  by  awakening  the  fellow's 
Indian  sympathies  so  strongly  in  favour  of  the  Mo- 
hawk that  they  should  overpower  his  fidelity  to  the 
white  man. 

But  the  Hunchback,  though  evidently  flattered  by 
the  frank  confidence  which  the  chief  seemed  to  re-* 
pose  in  him,  and  listening  with  mute  respect  to  the 
claims  which  he  urged  upon  his  services,  was  un* 
flinching  in  his  trust.  Brant  could  wring  nothing 
from  him  save  a  promise  not  to  reveal  this  secret 
visit  to  Bradshawe  ;  and  even  this  promise  was  ac« 
companied  with  a  condition  which  seemed  some*  ' 
thing  like  a  threat  upon  the  part  of  the  Hunchback. 

"Let  the  chief  go,"  said  he.  **  Let  Thayendana- 
gea  depart  in  secret  as  he  has  come.  No  bird  shall 
whisper  that  he  has  been  here,  and  Thayendana* 
gea  will  come  no  more," 

There  was  nothing,  therefore,  to  be  done  with 
this  stanch  seneschal,  unless  Brant  had  chosen  to 
strangle  him  where  he  stood,  or  hurl  him  deathward 
down  the  black  pit  whose  entrance  he  guarded. 
But  it  was  not  in  the  heart  of  Brant  to  crush  in  cold 
blood  a  creature  always  so  inoflensive,  and  now  so 
Arm  when  he  stood  most  exposed  and  defenceless. 
Had  he  debated  such  a  thing  in  his  own  mind,  how* 
ever,  there  was  now  hardly  time  to  eflect  it  sue* 
cessfully ;  for  at  this  moment  the  enraged  voice  of 
Bradshawe  was  heard  shouting  to  the  half-breed, 
who  waved  his  hand  to  Brant,  as  if  motioning  him 
to  ascend  and  leave  the  cave  at  once,  and  then  hur« 
ried  to  wait  upon  the  Tory  captain. 

Brant  seized  the  opportunity  to  descend  farther 
into  the  cavern,  with  whose  peculiarities  he  was  per- 
fectly familiar,  and  gained  a  recess  of  the  rock  not 
far  from  the  fallen  tree  just  as  Bradshawe  brushed 


■111 


Ij" 


f 


234 


ORBTSLAKB  1 


rH-i 


U4i 


by  it  in  traversing  the  passage.  The  hand  of  the 
Mohawk  clutched  the  belt-knife,  which  was  half 
drawn  from  its  sheath  as  the  glare  of  the  Hunch- 
back's torch  shone  full  upon  him  for  a  moment. 
The  life  of  Bradshawe  turned  upon  a  cast.  But, 
,  haply,  he  passed  by  unheeding  the  peril  at  hand ; 
^and  the  person  of  Brant  being  thrown  the  next  in- 
stant into  deep  shadow,  the  knife  was  shot  back 
into  its  sheath  as  he  saw  the  danger  of  discovery 
had  passed  away.  That  momentary  gleam  of  light, 
however,  had  revealed  to  Brant  the  features  of  the 
Hunchback,  and  the  feelings  which  agitated  them ; 
for  he  had  overheard  the  contumelious  epithets 
which  Bradshawe  applied  to  the  unfortunate.  Brant 
scarcely  doubted  what  their  effect  would  be  unon 
the  half-Indian  nature  of  the  Hunchback.  If  not  a 
provocation  to  revenge,  they  would  at  least  cancel 
all  ties  of  kindness  which  bound  him  as  a  retainer 
of  Bradshawe. 

Nor  did  the  sagacious  Mohawk  err  in  his  judg- 
ment ;  for,  following  shortly  afterward  to  the  spot 
where  the  others  embarkea  upon  the  black  lake  to 
cross  to  the  threshold  of  the  Outlaws'  Hall,  the 
plashing  of  the  ferryman's  paddle  had  hardly  died 
away  upon  his  etur  before  he  again  heard  its  faint 
dip  approach  cnce  more  the  shore  from  which  he 
had  just  parted.  The  Hunchback,  neither  by  look 
nor  word,  ex'^ressed  his  surprise  at  finding  the  chief 
awaiting  ilini,  but  mutely  drew  up  his  boat,  mar- 
shalled Branr  forward  to  the  opening  in  the  curtain 
of  rock,  and  aided  him  in  launching  upon  the  River 
of  Ghosts. 


^ 


A,  ROMANCE   OF  THE   MOHAWK. 


235 


CHAPTER  VII. 


as  a  retainer 


# 


THE    RESCUE. 

■*  His  boat  was  nigh  ;  its  fragile  side 
Boldly  the  renturous  wanderer  tri^d; 
Indeed,  it  was  a  full  strange  sight 
To  see  in  the  track  of  the  shostly  lioht 
The  swarthy  chief  and  the  lady  bright, 
On  the  heaving  waves  borne  on  ; 
While  her  wan  cheek  and  robe  of  white 
*  The  pale  ray  played  upon, 

And  above  his  dusky  plumage  shook  ; 
Backward  was  flung  his  feathenr  cloak, 
As  his  brawny  arms  were  stretched  to  ply 
The  oars  that  made  their  shallop  fly." — Sands. 

Alida,  to  whom,  Laply,  the  story  of  her  family, 
desolated  through  the  agency  of  Brant,  was  yet  un- 
known, did  aot  hesitate  to  accept  the  deliverance 
proffered  at  his  hands ;  but  the  noble-hearted  girl  in- 
sisted upon  the  negroes,  to  whose  kindness  she  was 
so  much  indebted,  being  first  romoved  from  the 
reach  of  Bradshawe's  cruelty ;  for  she  knew  that  the 
first  outbreak  of  his  wrath  would  be  terrible,  and  that 
it  was  upon  these  defenceless  creatures  it  would  fall. 
The  little  shallop  would  contain  but  two  persons  at 
a  time,  and  many  precious  moments  were  consu- 
med in  ferrying  the  whole  party  to  the  chamber 
where  the  Hunchback  stood  a  sullen  sentry. 

The  negroes  have  already  found  their  way  to  the 
outside  of  the  cave  without  farther  peril  of  discov- 
ery ;  and  now  the  swarthy  chief  and  the  bright  lady 
have  embarked  upon  those  ghostly  waters.  Their 
frail  boat  has  brushed  safely  through  the  flinty 


i: : 


1 


M 


P- 


!U 


¥^' 


236 


ORBY8LABB; 


ml  m 

WSfiA'  2 Ji        ^w   " I 

K  \^  '  ^.    > 

B^^^'f " 

|H|^LH' .' 

^^^^Hr^p.f  ^5^^       <i 

H^^^^B't  ^    m^  . 

^^K 1 1 

HHi 

\ 

•«f1^^^^ 

hhk^} 

^H^^^^i^"^ 

|B3' . 

chasm  which  walls  in  the  sinuous  tide.    They  haTe 
reached  the  crevice  in  the  curtain  of  rock,  and  have 

Sained  a  footing  on  the  land,  when  suddenly  the 
istant  reverberations  of  a  horn  are  heard  trembling 
through  the  shadowy  cells  around.  It  is  a  sum- 
mons to  the  Hunchback  to  assume  his  office  of  ward- 
r  in  facilitating  the  egress  of  Fenton  and  his  fol- 
lowers. 

In  the  scene  which  followed,  even  the  coolness  of 
Brant,  aided  as  he  was  by  the  presence  of  mind  of 
his  companion,  would  hardly  have  availed  them, 
were  it  not  for  the  ready  offices  of  the  Hunchback 
in  assisting  Alida  up  the  first  asceni  before  the  fore- 
most of  Fenton*s  party  had  fairly  reached  the  spot 
where  the  danger  of  discovery  was  most  imminent. 

And  now,  marshalled  by  torches  formed  of  the 
blazing  knots  of  the  yellow  pine,  Bradshawe's  part- 
ing guests  were  congregated  in  the  chamber  from 
which  first  commences  the  ascent  to  daylight — 
Bradshawe  himself  coming  last  to  bid  them  fare- 
well at  their  exit  from  the  cavern,  and  make  up,  if 
possible,  for  previous  indifference  by  the  warmth  of 
his  adieus. 

The  two  foremost  of  the  party,  who  seemed  more 
closely  muffled  than  the  rest,  had  already,  as  it  ap- 
peared, surmounted  the  first  ascent,  and  contented 
themselves  with  waving  him  a  backward  adieu,  as, 
mounting  beyond  his  reach,  they  stepped  upon  the 
ladder  which  led  up  the  second.  The  rest  succes- 
sively gave  him  each  a  hand  as  they  passed  up  the 
fallen  tree  before  described. 

About  half  had  made  the  ascent  of  the  first  steep, 
when  the  half-breed  Hunchback,  exclaiming  that  he 
would  steady  the  rope  ladder  for  one  of  the  party 
who  was  somewhat  infirm,  mounted  with  the  agility 
of  a  cat  to  the  ledge  to  which  its  lower  end  was 
attached.    Bradshawe  took  no  note  of  his  officious- 


.  They  have 
ock,  and  haye 
suddenly  the 
ard  trembling 
It  is  a  sum- 
>ffice  of  ward- 
n  and  his  fol- 

le  coolness  of 
:e  of  mind  of 
ivailed  them, 
B  Hunchback 
jfore  the  fore- 
shed  the  spot 
3st  imminent, 
brmed  of  the 
shawe's  part- 
hamber  from 
;o  daylight — 
d  them  fare- 
i  make  np,  if 
tie  warmth  of 

seemed  more 
sidy,  as  it  ap- 
nd  contented 
ird  adieu,  as, 
ped  upon  the 
i  rest  succes- 
lassed  up  the 

he  first  steep, 
iming  that  he 
of  the  party 
th  the  agility 
wet  end  was 
his  officiout- 


A  ROMANCE   OF  THE   MOHAWK. 


837 


ness,  and  the  rest  followed,  till  the  two  brothers 
Stickney  alone  were  left  at  the  bottom. 

"  Ho  !  treason  !"  shouted  Bradshawe,  seizing  the 
luckless  Syl  by  the  collar,  and  flinging  him  upon 
the  flinty  floor  of  the  cave,  as  he  was  in  the  act  of 
moving  forward  in  his  turn.  "  Charon  !  Valtmeyer ! 
— ho  there  !  Charon,  you  humpbacked  knave,  what 
means  this  ?  Ten  men,  the  number  of  Fenton's 
party,  have  already  gone  up,  yet  these  two  Yankee 
pedlers  are  still  below." 

"  Pedler  yourself.  Captain  Bradshawe,"  cried  the 
sturdy  Marius  ;  and,  in  a  moment,  the  indignant 
Syl  having  sprung  to  his  feet,  the  two  New-Eng- 
landers  had  rushed  together  upon  the  Tory  captain, 
hurled  him  against  the  wall  of  the  cavern,  and 
scrambled  up  to  the  landing-place  where  stood  the 
Hunchback,  flinging  his  torchlight  over  the  pit  be- 
low. Bradshawe,  recovering  himself,  cocked  a  pis- 
tol and  levelled  it  at  Marius  on  the  instant. 

"  Hullo !  capting,"  cried  the  undismayed  Syl, 
pressing  down  the  head  of  his  brother,  so  that  the 
rays  of  the  torch  passed  over  it,  and  left  only  his 
own  arm  to  aim  at.  "  Don't  1  e  such  a  darned  fool, 
capting,  as  to  throw  away  ;;  ^ur  shot  upon  us,  who 
raaly  have  had  nothing  to  do  with  this  muss.  Hum- 
py here's  your  man,  I  reckon ;  and,  if  you  wait  a 
moment,  I'll  pitch  him  down  to  you." 

How  far  the  doughty  Syl  might  have  succeeded 
in  a  tussle  with  the  active  half«breed  in  such  a  sp 
it  is  impossible  now  to  say;  for  the  Hunchba 
was  about  to  prepare  himself  for  the  encounter^ 
which  he  did  by  quickly  flinging  the  torch  from  his 
hands  into  the  abyss  below.  But  the  movement 
that  he  makes  in  leaning  over  to  hurl  it  at  Brad- 
shawe exposes  the  upper  part  of  his  person  for  an 
instant,  and  the  flash  of  Bradshawe's  pistol  illumi- 
nates the  vault  in  the  moment  the  blazing  missile 


'•f 


« 


,  ,-1 


fi/ 


m 


if' 


SI**  U 


238 


ORBTILABR 


leaves  the  hand  of  the  Hunchback,  who  instantly  fol- 
lows it,  shot  to  death,  and  tunnbling  from  ledge  to 
ledge,  a  mangled  corpse,  at  the  feet  of  the  Tory 
captain. 

"  Sylla,  Marius,"  shouted  Bradshawe,  when  the 
reverberations  had  subsided,  "  halt  the  party,  and 
#  tell  them  there  is  treason  among  us."  But  no  an- 
swer  came  from  the  classic  pair,  who  had  already 
made  their  exit  from  the  cavern.  Bradshawe,  whose 
presence  of  mind  seems  to  have  deserted  him  for  a 
moment,  instead  of  at  once  following  the  retiring 

{)arty,  groped  his  way  to  the  Warder's  Room,  eager- 
y  seized  the  lantern  which  was  ever  kept  burning 
there,  ferried  himself  across  the  lake,  summoned 
Valtmeyer,  with  him  recrossed  the  black  pool  once 
more,  and,  leaving  his  worthy  adjutant  in  the  cham- 
ber where  the  Hunchback  had  found  a  tomb,  launch- 
ed himself  upon  the  River  of  Ghosts,  and  wended 
his  way  to  the  remote  cell  where  Alida  was  immured. 

The  bats  were  now  its  only  tenants,  and  the  voice- 
less spot,  with  no  light  save  the  torch  of  the  gloomy 
voyager  to  illumine  its  dark  walls,  seemed  dreary 
and  chill  as  it  had  never  seemed  before  to  his  eyes. 

The  baffled  Bradshawe  rejoined  his  comrade. 
**  Have  that  carrion  flung  out  to  the  wolves ;  or,  stay, 
it  may  remain  till  to-morrow,  when  we  will  all  move 
away  together." 

"  Do  we  carry  any  woman's  baggage  with  us  ?" 
asked  Yaltmeyer,  keenly  eying  his  superior. 

"  No,  Wolfert.  I  give  you  those  niggers  wher- 
ever you  may  find  them." 

"  And  the  farm  ?" 

"  D — n  the  farm,  and  you  too,  sir !  Don't  you 
see,  man,  you  are  plucking  at  my  heartstrings  ? 
The  girl's  gone ;  lost  to  me,  perhaps,  for  ever.  Is 
this  a  moment  to  remind  me  of  the  price  I  paid  for 
her?"    And  Bradshawe  ground  another  oath  be«« 


A  ROMANCB  OV  THB  MOHAWK. 


239 


0  instantly  fol- 
from  ledge  to 
;  of  the  Tory 

we,  when  the 
he  party,  and 
'*  but  no  an- 
0  had  already 
Ishawe,  whose 
rted  him  for  a 
g  the  retiring 
Room,  eager- 
'  kept  btrninff 
:e,  summoned 
ack  pool  once 
t  in  the  cham- 
tomb,  launch- 
I,  and  wended 
was  immured, 
and  the  voice- 
of  the  gloomy 
eemed  dreary 
re  to  his  eyes, 
his  comrade. 
Ives ;  or,  stay, 
t  will  all  move 

ige  with  us  ?" 
perior. 
liggers  wher- 


!    Don't  you 

heartstrings  ? 

for  ever.    Is 

rice  I  paid  for 

ther  oath  be<« 


tween  his  teeth  that  put  a  summary  end  to  the  con- 
versation. 

With  the  morrow's  dawn  the  den  of  renegadei 
had  vomited  forth  its  tenants,  a  wierd  and  ghastly 
crew,  with  beard  unshorn  and  skin  cadaverous  from 
long  exclusion  from  the  light  of  day.  A  fall  of 
snow  had  obliterated  the  tracks  of  those  who  had 
departed  the  night  before ;  and  Bradshawe,  unwill- 
ing to  penetrate  with  such  a  body  of  men  into  the 
settled  country,  where  farther  pursuit  of  Alida 
would  most  probably  lead  him,  made  no  effort  to 
recover  Fenton's  trail,  but  addressed  himself  to  the 
task  of  getting  his  band  of  followers  out  of  this 
Whig  district  as  soon  as  possible.  He  then  laid  his 
course  for  Oswego,  whither  great  numbers  of  To- 
ries had  already  flocked  together,  under  the  lead  of 
Colonels  Claus  and  Butler,  and  where  the  royal 
banner,  guarded  by  a  thousand  Indian  warriors  un- 
der Guy  Johnson,  was  still  kept  flying. 

The  Cave  of  Waneondti,  which  had  so  lately 
rung  with  the  wild  peal  of  outlaw  merriment,  was 
left  to  echo  only  the  monotonous  sound  of  its  black- 
rolling  waters.  And  though  some  hard-hunted  ref- 
ugee, from  time  to  time,  had  sought  a  shelter  there 
with  the  handful  of  outlaws  it  occasionally  harbour- 
ed, it  was  not  until  after  years  that  its  hideous  cells 
again  were  fully  peopled.  Those  dungeon  vaults, 
so  silent  now,  what  tales  of  wo  and  horror  could 
they  tell?  Tales  of  those  times  when  the  John- 
sons came  back  on  their  mad  errand  of  vengeance  ; 
when  they  desolated  the  v&le  of  Schoharie  with  fire 
and  sword,  and  Waneonda  again  disgorged  a  felon 
crew  to  steep  the  land  in  crime  and  blood. 

But  let  us  now  return  to  the  wanderers  who  have 
last  emerged  from  these  shadowy  realms. 

The  surprise  of  Fenton,  when  his  band  was  fully 
mustered  on  the  mountain's  side  and  at  some  dis- 


11^ 


S40 


ORETSLAKR  { 


:-  ^ )  • 


tance  from  the  mouth  of  t!i<3  cave,  may  be  conceived 
at  finding  strangers  among  the:'-  number.  But  Brant, 
80  well  known  to  all  the  gentlemen  of  this  region 
from  the  civil  offices  he  had  held  previous  to  the 
present  struggle,  had  only  to  reveal  himself  to  be 
warmly  received  by  his  brother  partisan. 

The  winter's  nicht  was  closing  in  rapidly,  and 
Fenton — whose  indignation  against  Bradshawe  was 
fully  roused  upon  hearing  the  story  of  Alida's  forci- 
ble detention  in  the  vaults  of  Waneonda — assisted 
her  down  the  mountain  as  they  hurried  forward  on 
their  journey.  It  was  determined  that  she  should 
at  once  seek  a  refuge  in  the  settlement  of  Schoha- 
rie, which  was  at  hand ;  and  the  whole  party  was 
halted  to  designate  some  one  who  could  oe  trusted 
with  the  duty  of  placing  her  in  the  hands  of  her 
friends.  It  wouM  have  been  madness  for  Brant, 
even  upon  such  an  embassy,  to  venture  himself  in 
the  hands  of  the  patriots ;  and  his  own  men  would 
not  spare  Fenton,  who,  Although  almost  equally  ob- 
noxious as  a  virulent  Tory,  had  still  not  been 
charged  with  any  stain  of  cruelty  that  would  call 
out  personal  vengeance. 

While  this  discussion  was  taking  place,  the  atten- 
tion of  the  two  leaders  was  distracted  by  a  sudden 
outcry  near.  Several  of  the  more  lawless  mem- 
bers of  the  party,  as  it  seemed,  had  pushed  in  ad- 
vance of  the  rest,  for  the  purpose  of  driving  off 
some  horses  that  were  grazing  in  a  field  near  by. 
The  farmhouse  to  which  the  field  belonged  chanced, 
at  the  moment,  to  be  occupied  by  a  patrol  of  vil- 
lagers ;  for  the  Whig  militia,  since  Schuyler's  march 
upon  Johnstown,  had  been  industriously  employed 
in  scouring  the  country  and  arresting  every  per- 
son suspected  of  Toryism  upon  whom  they  could 
lay  their  hands.  This  patrol,  hearing  the  clatter  of 
hoofs,  now  sallied  out.    The  moon,  which  shone 


A  ROMANCB  OF  THB   MOHAWK. 


241 


J  he  conceived 
ir.  But  Brant, 
of  this  region 
revious  to  the 
himself  to  be 
an. 

1  rapidly,  and 
radshawe  was 
f  Alida*8  forci- 
)nda — assisted 
led  forward  on 
lat  she  should 
int  of  Schoha- 
lole  party  was 
)uld  oe  trusted 
hands  of  her 
ess  for  Brant, 
;ure  himself  in 
wn  men  would 
ost  equally  ob- 
still  not  been 
[lat  would  call 

iace,  the  atten- 
d  by  a  sudden 
lawless  mem- 
pushed  in  ad- 
of  driving  off 
field  near  by. 
)nged  chanced, 
a  patrol  of  vil- 
liuyler's  march 
usly  employed 
ing  every  per- 
om  they  could 
g  the  clatter  of 
which  shone 


Wightly  down  over  the  snow-covered  fields,  show- 
ed that  they  were  a  mere  handful  of  men,  whom 
Fenton's  followers  outnumbered  ;  and,  though  pro- 
yoked  and  incensed  at  the  untimely  occurrence, 
Fenton  could  not  resist  the  temptation  to  crush  the 
gang  of  rebellious  boors,  as  he  termed  them.  He 
sprang  from  the  side  of  Alida  as  Brant  attempted 
to  seize  his  arm  to  prevent  the  mad  movement, 
drew  his  rapier,  and  rushed  into  the  fray. 

Alida,  though  now  not  unused  to  scenes  of  blood 
and  violence,  had  never  stood  before  with  hopes 
and  fears  divided  between  her  friends  and  country- 
men engaged  in  personal  conflict.  She  covered 
her  head  with  her  mantle  and  cowered  toward  the 
earth.  There  was  a  quick,  irregular  volley  of  fire- 
arms, the  shout  of  a  sudden  onset,  followed  by  the 
clashing  of  swords  against  the  barrels  of  clubbed 
rifles ;  and  then  came  the  trampling  of  many  feet, 
as  of  men  borne  down  in  a  struggle  or  flying  along 
the  frozen  highway  near  her.  She  looked  up; 
Brant  had  disappeared  from  her  side,  and  the  royal- 
ists had  been  driven  back  past  the  spot  where  she 
stood.  Suddenly  the  Indian  warwhoop  arose  wild 
and  shrilly  from  a  thicket  of  evergreens  at  a  turning 
of  the  road ;  and  now  the  patriots,  as  if  seized  by  a 
sudden  panic,  came  flying  back  over  the  road  where 
they  had  just  pressed  the  foe. 

"  That  s  right,  boys ;  git  into  kiver  as  soon  as 
you  can ;  it's  a  regular  ambush,"  exclaimed  a  well- 
known  voice  near  her.  "  We've  peppered  'cm 
enough  for  one  night's  work."  The  -  spokesman, 
however,  seemed  very  slow  in  practising  his  own 
recommendation,  as,  coolly  loading  his  rifle,  he 
trudged  along  behind  the  rest. 

"  Run,  Bait,  run,"  shouted  a  fugitive.  "  The  Red- 
skins are  upon  us." 

"  Ttiey  won't  lift  my  head-thatch  this  time,  how* 

Vol.  L-5-X 


849 


oRm&ABB ; 


'v     I 


somede^er.  Vm  looking  for  the  chap  whose  gourd 
I  smashed  so  handsomely  when  he  came  pushinjpf 
his  skewer  throuffh  my  jacket.  By  the  Etarnal,  if 
it  be  not  Squire  rentdn,^  Ke  suddenly  exclaimed, 
atarting  back  from  the  body  of  that  gallant  and  un- 
fortunate gentleman^ 

"  Fenton  !"  faintly  ejaculated  Alida,  r'\o  was  not 
twenty  paces  distant.  But  her  voice  was  unheeded 
by  Bait ;  unheeded,  too,  were  the  exclamations  of 
the  group  who  quickly  gatherea  around  him,  retra- 
cing their  steps  as  they  saw  the  last  scattered  re- 
mains of  the  Toty  party,  preserved  by  the  ruse  of 
Brant,  disappear  over  the  hills. 

"Yes,  bovs,  that's  Squire  Fenton,  and  no  mis- 
take/' said  Bait,  with  something  resembling  a  heavy 
fish ;  *'  and  he  shall  have  as  decent  a  grave  as  ever 
a  Christian  laid  in,  if  it  took  the  beat  acre  of  ground 
in  the  county  to  hold  him.  He  was  as  true  a  gen- 
tleman as  ever  sat  in  the  king's  commission  of  the 
peace  among  us.    As  kind  and  as  brave  a  heart — ** 

''He  was  a  d — d  Tory,"  said  a  ruffian  voice 
among  the  crew,  bringing  the  butt  of  his  rifle  heavi- 
ly upon  the  frozen  ground  as  he  spoke. 

"  Mister  Bill  Murphy,"  said  Bait,  no  way  per- 
turbed, '*  you'll  just  please  to  take  liberties  with  the 
a&mes  of  Tories  of  your  own  shooting,  and  let  mine 
alone.  The  devil  knows  that  you've  sent  enough 
on  'em  to  their  last  account,  what  with  firing  on 
flass  o'  truce  and  sich  like.  Bill."* 

Murphy  felt  the  rude  compliment  rather  than  the 
reproach  that  wai  blended  in  this  speech,  and  was 
ailent. 

*  Is  not  this  an  tntchromsm?  The  famous  rifle-shot  and  des- 
perado whom  tradition  accedes  of  shooting  down  the  bearers  of 
flags  of  truce  upon  seyeral  occasions  during  the  relentless  con- 
flicts between  the  Whin  and  Tories  of  this  region,  is  not  men- 
tioned as  thus  feloniously  signalizing  himself  until  the  last  groat 
inroad  of  the  refugees  in  the  subsequent  years  of  the  war.— r.  D. 


▲  BOMANCB  Of  THB  MOBAWK. 


S43 


nrhose  gourd 
ime  pushing 
e  Etarnal,  it 
r  exclaimed, 
ilant  and  un- 

r'\o  was  not 
as  unheeded 
lamations  of 
I  hinn,  retra- 
scattered  re- 
-  the  ruse  of 

ind  no  mis- 
ling  a  heavy 
rave  as  ever 
!re  of  ground 
I  true  a  gen* 
ission  of  the 
e  a  heart — ** 
uffian  voice 
s  rifle  heavi- 

» 

[10  way  per- 
ties  with  the 
and  let  mine 
sent  enough 
th  firing  on 

her  than  the 
ch,  and  was 


"  But  who  have  we  here  ?"  said  Bait,  now  for  the 
first  time  noticincr  the  crouched  form  of  the  half- 
frozen  Alida.  "  Who,  in  the  name  of  the  first  moth- 
er of  sals,  is  this  -  missus  that  the  Tories  have  left 
behind  them  ?" 

¥  Alida,  who  had  shrunk  from  claiming  the  protec- 
tion of  these  rude  and  blood-stained  men,  while  still 
chafinff  around  the  warm  remains  of  her  friend,  so 
recently  slaughtefed,  now  dashed  these  shuddering 
impressions  from  her  mind,  and  gladly  revealed  her- 
self to  Bait. 

The  joy  of  the  worthy  woodsman  was  boundless 
at  beholding  her  a^ain,  though  he  would  scarcely 
trust  his  senses  to  oelieve  that  it  was  really  Miss 
De  Roos  who  stood  alive  before  him.  He  ap- 
proached without  uttering  a  syllable  in  reply  to  her, 
turned  her  around  as  he  raised  her  from  the  fallen 
tree  acainst  which  she  had  been  reclining,  threw 
back  the  hood  of  the  cloak  which  covered  her  head, 
and  bared  her  fair  features  to  the  moon ;  then  re- 
leasing her  hand,  he  stepped  back  a  pace  or  two, 
and,  lifting  his  hat  reverentially  from  his  gray  head, 
made  a  deep  obeisance  as  he  exclaimed,  '^The  great 
God  be  praised,  Miss  Alida,  it  is  really  you  1" 


END   OF   VOL.  I. 


e-shdt  and  des- 
the  bearers  of 

relendesa  con- 

>n,  is  not  men- 
the  laat  jreat 

le  war.— P.  D. 


■   1 1  fc  I 
> '  •  > « 
'   •  • .  • 


*  '    *        »  n  t      ;     ,  •         •  *        '        *    • 

*  *^   »     %    t   ,t  m  .     • .  ,.  ^ 


